Franklin Township Emergency Management

Erie County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY GUIDELINES

 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY!

• DIAL 911
• STAY CALM (Listen to the dispatcher)
• DO NOT HANG UP! (Answer all questions clearly.)

FOR COMMUNITY WIDE EMERGENCIES

• Turn on your radio or television and listen for further instructions.
• Use your telephone/cell phones only to report an emergency!  These lines will be needed for official business.

BE PREPARED!

THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!

• Write down instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water service to your property.  Familiarize each member of your household with the location of shut-offs and how to turn them off.  (Utilities should only be turned back on by a professional)

• Know where to go if you must evacuate. Contact your municipalities Emergency Management Coordinator for information about shelters in your area.
• Keep insurance policies, household inventories, valuables, and other important papers in a safe deposit box.
• Have emergency numbers by every phone
• Keep an inventory of your belongings
• Keep a store of non-perishable foods that require no cooking or refrigeration
• Keep the family car filed with fuel. (If power goes out, pumps at gas stations may not work.)
• KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY!
• IF YOU LACK MOBILITY BECAUSE OF ILLNESS OR DISABILITY, OR IF HEARING OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED LET OTHERS KNOW YOU WILL NEED ASSISTANCE!  Tell your neighbors.  Send a postcard to your fire department explaining that you will need special assistance, and ask them to contact you.

ASSEMBLE A DISASTER KIT!

• Portable radio and plenty of batteries

• Flashlight and batteries

• First Aid kit with medications required by members of your household

• Fire extinguisher

• Prescriptions and phone numbers of physicians and pharmacist

• Spare eyeglasses

• Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person

• Style and model number of any required medical devices

• Change of clothes – boots, gloves, extra socks, windbreaker or jacket

• Credit card or travelers checks for emergency purchases

• Baby items – formula, diapers, canned food

Please visit:  www.ecema.org for more information.

EVACUATION 

IF REQUESTED TO EVACUATE

• Secure your home or unit
• Turn off utilities at main shutoff IF REQUESTED TO DO SO.
• Leave note on the front door with a telephone number where you can be contacted.
• Take your Disaster Kit with you
• Leave quickly
• Listen to the radio for further instructions

• Go to the designated shelter.  Franklin Township Mass Care Shelter is located at the Franklin Township Fire Department Social Hall.

• DO NOT RETURN TO YOUR HOME UNTIL THE “ALL CLEAR” IS GIVEN BY AUTHORITIES.

WHAT TO TAKE TO THE SHELTER

• Identification for all members of your family

• Medicines and any medical devices you may need

• Dentures

• Eyeglasses

• Pillow and blanket or sleeping bag

• Change of clothes

• Flashlight

• Portable radio with earphone

• Infant needs, i.e., formula, diapers, toys

DO NOT TAKE THESE ITEMS TO A SHELTER

 PETS                                                   WEAPONS

ALCOHOL                                         FIREARMS

UPON ARRIVAL AT SHELTER

• Register all family members.  Advise the shelter if you leave

IN PLACE SHELTERING

• To reduce possible exposure to toxic air pollutants or explosive materials, you may be asked to remain indoors and follow in place sheltering instructions
• For toxic air pollutants, seal all entries.  Close and lock doors and windows.  Seal gaps under doors with wet towels and duct tape.
• Close/shut-off exhaust fans, cover vents with paper, aluminum foil, or duct tape.
• Close fireplace dampers
• Close as many interior doors as possible.  Move to central area
• If outdoor explosions are possible, close drapes, curtains, or blinds to lessen possible flying glass.
• Stay away from windows.  Move to the opposite side of the building from where explosions might occur
• Turn off all ventilation systems including furnaces and air conditioners.
• When all clear sounds, open all windows and doors, go outside to allow building to ventilate.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS 

• Cover your nose and mouth if hazardous vapors are suspected.  Wet towels work best
• Close windows and doors in buildings or vehicles
• Turn off heating or cooling systems
• Turn off fans and vents

IF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ARE INVOLVED

AND

YOU THINK YOU WERE CONTAMINATED 

• Follow the decontamination instructions provided by authorities
• Seek Medical attention for unusual symptoms
• If medical attention must be delayed, remove contaminated clothing, shoes and socks, and place in sealed bag
• Shower thoroughly
• Seek medical attention and tell everyone that you have been exposed to hazardous materials.

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