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EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ON APRIL 23 AT 7:00 PM AT
HERITAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL
A meeting
about emergency preparedness will be held on April
23, 2003 at 7:00 pm at Heritage Middle School,
Livingston mayor Steve Santola announced. The
program, "Preparing for the Unexpected," will be
presented by the American Red Cross of Metropolitan
New Jersey. In addition, Livingston's emergency
management personnel will attend the meeting to
answer questions from the public.
With the
country on "orange alert status," the Red Cross is
reaching out to provide information on what to do
in case of an emergency. Mayor Santola said that
"Tom Ridge, secretary of Homeland Security, has
suggested that people reach out for information to
prepare for the unexpected. Although most of the
national emergency procedures will come from state
and national officials, local government will have
some responsibilities. We want our residents to be
as well-prepared as possible."
The
Red Cross says that "In today's climate, it is more
important than ever that all of us be prepared for
possible emergencies. Natural or other disasters
can strike suddenly at any time and anywhere, but
there are five actions everyone can take that can
help make a difference." All residents are urged to
make a disaster plan, build a survival kit, get
trained in first aid and CPR, volunteer to work
with neighbors after a disaster, and give blood.
Disaster
Response Plans
From the West
Essex Tribune, April 3,
2003
With the
war in Iraq and the nation on high alert, Township
Manager Charles Tahaney reviewed some of the
general procedures to be followed in case of a
disaster.
In the
event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster, he
said, sirens will sound throughout the township as
part of Livingston's Emergency Notification System.
Upon hearing this signal, residents should turn on
local television channels such as TV-34 or the
Channel 10 emergency network, or listen to radio
station WFME, 94.7 FM. Emergency information will
also be available on on the website of the
New
Jersey Office of Emergency Management
(OEM).
Tahaney
emphasized that there is no "blanket" emergency
plan. Different plans are in place to respond to
specific situations. For example, plans for a
biological terrorist strike are different from the
planned response to a natural disaster. He noted
that emergency plans for schools would include
locking down buildings and/or evacuating students.
For security reasons, however, no specific details
are available to the public ahead of time.
The OEM
suggests that each family create a disaster plan,
as well as stock their homes with supplies in case
of emergency. Families should keep enough supplies
to meet their needs for at least 3 days, and have
on hand a Disaster Supplies Kit with items one may
need in case of evacuation. These supplies should
be stored in sturdy, easy to carry containers, such
as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash
containers.
Supplies
should include a 3-day supply of water (one gallon
per person per day) and food that won't spoil; one
change of clothing and footwear per person, and one
blanket or sleeping bag per person; a first aid kit
that includes the family's prescription
medications; and emergency tools, including a
battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra
batteries.
Families
should also have available an extra set of car keys
and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks;
sanitation supplies; special items for infants or
elderly or disabled family members; and an extra
pair of eyeglasses. Important documents should be
kept in a waterproof container.
Residents
should also know the location of their home's main
electric fuse box, water service main and natural
gas main. All responsible family members should
learn how and when to turn these utilities off, and
keep the necessary tools to do so near shut-off
valves. These utilities should only be turned off
if the lines are damaged or residents are
instructed to do so. Professionals are needed to
turn gas back on.
The OEM
also advises residents to meet with their neighbors
and plan how everyone could work together in the
vent of a disaster until help arrives. Residents
should get to know each other's specific skills and
consider how to best aid their neighbors,
especially those with special needs. Parents should
make plans for child care in case they cannot get
home.
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