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In an effort to increase employees' emergency readiness, the Office provides staff training and holds periodic drills. To be truly ready for an emergency, however, employees will also need to make sure that they are personally prepared at work, at home, and in their automobiles.
8.1 Training
The Office shall ensure that every new employee receives training, during his/her orientation period, in general disaster preparedness and specific actions to take during an emergency.
In addition, members of some of the emergency teams shall receive specialized training to prepare them for their emergency duties. For example, members of the First Aid Team and the Search and Rescue Team, as well as other selected staff members, shall receive training in first aid and CPR. If employees are interested in such training, they should contact the Supervisor, Employee Benefits/Safety, in Human Resources.
8.2 Drills
Yearly, the Office shall hold earthquake and fire drills for the purpose of reinforcing staff training by providing a means of practicing emergency responses in "simulated" disaster situations.
8.3 Personal Preparedness at Work
Besides taking part in training and drills, each employee should take measures to become personally prepared at work. The following suggestions will help employees to become fully prepared.
- Become familiar with the location of nearby exits and alternate evacuation routes.
- Know the location of fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and first aid kits.
- Keep a small supply of emergency food on hand (e.g., energy bars, non-perishable snack items, etc.) as well as bottled drinking water.
- Arrange nearby file cabinets so that heavier items are in the bottom, to lessen the potential of the cabinets falling over.
- Do not place items on top of cabinets.
- Do not store items under desks or tables, as these spaces will be needed during the "duck and cover" activity required in certain emergencies.
- In cases of special dietary or medical needs, keep a small supply of such food and medicine on hand, and advise a fellow staff member of their location.
8.4 Personal Preparedness at Home
An employee's personal preparedness at home is an essential component in her/his overall emergency readiness. The following suggestions will help employees to become fully prepared.
PLANNING:
- At least once a year, have a meeting with family members or housemates to design and/or update a plan for how each person will respond during an emergency.
- Draw a floor plan of your home, showing the location of exits (windows and doors), utility cutoffs, first aid kits, emergency supplies, tools, clothing, etc. Make sure that each person is familiar with the plan.
- Discuss alternate reunion locations and strategies if a disaster strikes when you are not home.
- Become familiar with the disaster policies and plans at your children's schools and your spouse's or housemate(s) workplace.
- Make/update a list of key addresses and phone numbers and ensure that each family member has a copy. Remember to caution everyone that the phone should only be used during an emergency if there is a pressing need to contact the police, the fire department, emergency medical personnel, utility companies, children's schools, etc.
- Discuss each person's fears and ways of minimizing these fears through plans and strategies.
TRAINING:
- Make sure that each person knows and practices ways of protecting her/himself from falling objects, smoke, fire, caustic fumes, etc.
- Make sure that each person knows and practices how to shut off utilities.
HOME SAFETY:
- Secure items that could fall and cause damage or injury during a disaster, such as the water heater, refrigerator, bookshelves, and other tall and heavy furniture.
- If necessary, change the placement of furniture and household items to make the home environment safer. For example, don't place beds under windows or heavy objects over beds; keep exit routes clear; move heavy items to lower shelves or drawers; and remove or isolate flammable materials.
- Install clips, latches, or other locking devices on cabinet doors.
- Provide strong support and flexible connections on gas appliances.
- Make sure that everyone has a flashlight and sturdy shoes near the bed.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES and EQUIPMENT:
It is recommended that your home be equipped with the following emergency supplies and equipment. Try to store the items in a place that will be accessible even if there should be structural damage to the home (e.g., in an outside storage shed, garage, etc.).
- Bottled Water (two quarts to 1 gallon per person per day)
- Food (canned or dehydrated, with current expiration dates)
- Utensils (knives and forks, can opener, pots, etc.)
- Paper Plates and Towels
- First Aid Kit (with instructions)
- Blankets or Sleeping Bags
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PORTABLE RADIO (WITH SPARE BATTERIES)
- Critical Medication and Glasses
- Fire Extinguisher (dry chemical)
- Flashlight (with spare batteries and bulb)
- Watch or Clock (battery or spring wound)
- Sanitation Supplies (soap, plastic bags, tissues, waste containers, etc.)
- Crescent Wrench (for turning off gas)
- Other Tools (axe, hammer, screw driver, pliers, shovel)
- Rope and Plastic Tape
- Gloves
- Candles and Matches
8.5 Personal Preparedness in your Automobile
It is also recommended that your automobile be equipped with a small amount of supplies and equipment, as follows.
- Bottled Water
- Non-perishable Food
- First Aid Kit (with instructions)
- Flares
- Blankets
- Critical Medication
- Fire Extinguisher (CO2)
- Flashlight (with spare batteries and bulb)
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SANITATION SUPPLIES (PLASTIC BAGS, TISSUES, MOISTENED TOWELETTES, ETC.)
- Tools (screw driver, pliers, knife)
- Rope and Plastic Tape
- Comfortable Shoes
- Extra Car Keys
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