Emergency Management

You and your family’s safety and preparedness are i 911 Emergency mportant to us at the University of Virginia Health System . In the event of a disaster, every person will have a response. Our goal is that each response be planned and knowledgeable.

Community leaders and agencies want each person in the community to be prepared for an emergency. Good basic emergency planning can be applied to you, your family, neighborhood and community. As planners, trainers, responders and recovery agencies, we rely on you knowing what to do to sustain yourself and your family for 3 to 5 days. Whether an ice storm in the winter, drought in the summer or another disabling event, you will need to respond. Our goal is that each citizen’s response be planned and knowledgeable.

There are essential elements to any emergency planning.

The first is knowledge. There are numerous guides printed to help with your planning. Publications from agencies such as Ready.Gov (a program of the Department of Homeland Security), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross can add to your knowledge. These can be ordered from agencies or found on the web as noted below. **

** If you do not have internet service at home, access is available at the public library and their staff are happy to aid you in your search.

A communications plan is vital. Your household emergency plan should include a communications plan. Each member of the family should have the number of a friend or relative out of the area or state that has been designated as a contact point. If the family is separated, each should call that contact to report their location. Consider a pre-paid calling card for each family member to facilitate long distance calling.

A list of work, home, and school numbers for each member should be kept along with important non-emergency numbers for the police, fire and local FBI office.

Children should be taught how to call 911 and know when to use it.

Evacuation plans will aid in locating family members in an emergency.

Safe places should be chosen for family members to meet in the event of an emergency. In the case of a fire that would cause you to leave the house quickly, choose a place close to the house, but away from rescue vehicle access. Another site should be chosen outside your neighborhood in case you are not able to return to your home.

Neighbors can make a plan and directory. Identify those in your neighborhood such as children, disabled and seniors that might need additional help in an event. Keep the list up to date and make sure each member of the neighborhood has the directory.

Your home should be well marked with a street number and lighting so that emergency vehicles can find it, should they need to respond.

Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times; in a power outage gasoline pumps will not work.

Create an Emergency Kit. It should be able to sustain you and your family for 3 to 5 days. While you may add additional items, basics to include in the kit are:

A battery operated radio and extra batteries
Water for 3-5 days (one gallon per person per day)
Food that requires no cooking and will not spoil – don’t forget a can opener
First Aid supplies
Medications and copies of prescriptions
Flashlights and extra batteries
Clothing
Sleeping bags or bedding material
Basic tools and supplies
Personal toiletry and hygiene items
Cash and traveler’s checks
Family documents such as copies of birth certificates, immunization records and insurance policies
Special items needed for the members of the family like diapers or baby food for an infant
Books, games, quiet toys for entertainment

Every six months: rotate food, and clothing so it fits and is seasonable.

Don’t forget to plan for your pets. If you need to move to a shelter, your pet will not be able to go with you. Plan in advance for their shelter. The SPCA can help with information for this important member of the family.

Your responsibility is to pass this information on within the community. Share it in your neighborhood, clubs, schools, churches and organizations to which you belong.

Support local volunteer organizations, consider volunteering yourself or sign up for CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Training).

If there is an event, our community leaders need you to:

Listen to local media for information. Radio and TV will carry important instructions and provide updates so that you can plan accordingly.
Communicate by phone only when necessary or in an emergency. Limiting phone use allows response agencies to have the access they need.
Limit travel unless instructed to evacuate. Keeping roads clear allows response vehicles to reach their destination more rapidly.
Know your work and school emergency plans and respond accordingly.
Volunteer or support volunteer agencies, if you are able and requested to do so.

For more information at UVa Health System call: 434-982-0219.