Emergency Plan
COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Introduction
In the event of a major disaster such as a large earthquake, flood, wildfire, severe storm, or other catastrophic emergency, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and public works crews will likely be assigned to hospitals, schools, emergency shelters, utility systems, transportation routes, and other critical facilities.
Because emergency responders cannot be everywhere at once, neighborhoods may need to operate independently for several days before assistance becomes available.
Community leaders, neighborhood coordinators, homeowner associations, volunteer groups, schools, businesses, and interested residents should prepare now for emergencies that may occur in the future.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is highly recommended for anyone interested in helping their neighborhood during a disaster. CERT training provides practical skills that help individuals safely assist themselves, their families, and their communities until professional responders arrive.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY FIRST
Your first responsibility after any disaster is your own safety and the safety of your family.
Check family members for injuries.
Check your home for structural damage.
Check for gas leaks.
Shut off natural gas only if a leak is suspected.
If your home is unsafe, move to a safer location such as your yard and shelter in place using your camping and emergency supplies.
After a major disaster, roads may be blocked, fuel may be unavailable, and traffic congestion may make evacuation difficult. In many situations, sheltering in place is the safest option.
If family members require special care, remain with them and ensure their needs are met before volunteering elsewhere.
COMMUNITY GATHERING LOCATIONS
If your family is safe and you are able to do so safely, report to the designated community gathering location.
Possible gathering locations may include:
Community centers
Schools
Parks
Churches of any denomination
Recreation centers
Neighborhood meeting areas
Other pre-designated emergency assembly locations
At these locations residents may:
Report their status
Receive emergency information
Request assistance
Volunteer for assignments
Coordinate resources
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND NEIGHBORHOOD COORDINATORS
Preparedness presentations can be provided for:
Neighborhoods
Homeowner associations (HOAs)
Apartment communities
Schools
Community groups
Senior centers
Businesses
Civic organizations
Faith-based organizations
One advantage of organized neighborhoods is that responsibilities can be assigned before a disaster occurs.
Community members can prepare in advance to assist with:
Childcare
Food preparation
Communications
Administration
Transportation
Wellness checks
Emotional support
Resource distribution
Community members should be discouraged from conducting search and rescue operations without proper training or equipment. Well-intentioned volunteers frequently become victims themselves, creating additional challenges for responders.
Recommended training includes:
CERT Training
Red Cross First Aid Training
CPR Training
AED Training
Emergency Communications Training
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION DURING A DISASTER
CERT-trained personnel should coordinate CERT-related functions while other community volunteers assist according to their abilities, training, and experience.
First Aid Area
The medical treatment area should be one of the first sections established.
Consider:
Immediate care area
Delayed treatment area
Expansion capability
Ambulance access
If fatalities occur, a temporary morgue area should be located separately from treatment areas to minimize additional trauma for survivors and patients.
Command Center
The Command Center serves as:
Information hub
Volunteer coordination center
Logistics section
Resource management area
Assignment and reporting location
CERT-trained personnel should coordinate emergency operations when available.
Food Preparation and Rest Area
If the disaster is severe enough to require extended operations, food preparation and rest areas may be established.
Neighborhoods may identify volunteers beforehand who are willing to assist with:
Food preparation
Shelter support
Equipment setup
Resource distribution
Community feeding operations
Having assignments identified before a disaster reduces confusion during an emergency.
Hand Washing Stations
Hand washing stations should be established near:
Restroom facilities
Food preparation areas
Medical treatment areas
Water and sewer systems may be damaged after a disaster.
Because contamination is possible:
Boil water whenever contamination is suspected.
Use approved water purification methods when necessary.
Emergency water purification guidelines:
8 drops of unscented household bleach per gallon of clear water.
16 drops of unscented household bleach per gallon of cloudy water.
Allow the water to sit before use according to emergency management guidelines.
Children's Area
If necessary, a supervised children's area may be established.
This location should be:
Away from medical operations
Away from traumatic scenes
Near food and restroom facilities
Staffed by qualified and trusted adults
Teachers, childcare providers, youth leaders, parents, and other qualified volunteers may be assigned to assist.
Security Teams
Security teams should operate in pairs.
Responsibilities may include:
Monitoring community facilities
Reporting hazards
Protecting resources
Assisting with crowd management
Helping identify emerging problems
These volunteers are not law enforcement officers and should not attempt to perform police functions.
Emotional and Spiritual Support
Disasters affect people emotionally as well as physically.
Qualified volunteers may be assigned to:
Provide emotional support
Offer comfort
Assist individuals experiencing stress or trauma
Connect people with available resources
Community counselors, chaplains, faith leaders, mental health professionals, and trusted community members may be valuable resources during recovery efforts.
COMMUNITY SANITATION PLAN
Indoor restrooms may not be safe following a large earthquake or major infrastructure failure.
Recommended actions include:
Covering unusable toilets
Establishing portable restroom facilities
Creating privacy barriers
Setting up hand washing stations
If adequate sanitation is not maintained, disease outbreaks may create additional injuries and deaths following a disaster.
Proper sanitation planning is critical.
COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS TEAMS
Communities that meet regularly before disasters occur are often far more successful during emergencies.
Neighborhood groups may wish to:
Create neighborhood maps
Identify vulnerable residents
Identify medical needs
Inventory special skills
Inventory available equipment
Develop communication plans
Establish gathering locations
Possible volunteer specialties include:
Medical personnel
Electricians
Plumbers
Heavy equipment operators
Mechanics
Radio operators
Childcare providers
Food service workers
Counselors
Translators
Knowing available resources before a disaster greatly improves response efforts.
AFTER A DISASTER
Residents should:
Take care of themselves and their families first.
Check for hazards and utility damage.
Shelter in place when appropriate.
Check on neighbors safely.
Report conditions to the community gathering location.
Work within their training and abilities.
Keep written records of all activities and expenses.
Stay hydrated and well rested.
Avoid unnecessary risks.
Work in teams whenever possible.
Remember:
Many volunteers become victims because they lack proper training, equipment, or situational awareness.
Protect yourself first so that you remain capable of helping others.
CERT TRAINING
CERT training consists of approximately 21 hours of instruction and provides practical skills that help individuals prepare for disasters and assist their families, neighbors, and communities.
Topics include:
Disaster preparedness
Fire suppression
Disaster medical operations
Search and rescue
Team organization
Disaster psychology
Terrorism awareness
CERT classes are generally offered several times each year and may be available in multiple languages depending on community demand.
Contact your local Emergency Management office for class schedules and registration information.
Larry Love
CERT Instructor
Salt Lake City Emergency Management