Emergency Preparedness:
What Every Father & Family Need
to Know BEFORE Disaster Strikes
Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator
Carolyn Meier, Associate Regional Administrator
Elma Z. Goodwin, Management & Program Analyst
Administration for Children & Families, Region VI
Dallas, TX
AoA
AHRQ
ATSDR
CDC
CMS
FDA
MISSION:
to oversee programs
promoting the well-being
of children and families.
HRSA
IHS
NIH OIG SAMHSA
ACF’s Role in Disaster Preparedness
and Response
• In 2006, The Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) was designated by the Secretary
of HHS as the lead agency responsible for ESF-6
preparedness policy and planning within HHS
and the regions and for support to FEMA, who
leads ESF-6 at the federal level.
• The Director, Office of Human Services
Emergency Preparedness and Response
(OHSEPR) provides policy development,
coordination and guidance to the Assistant
Secretary, ACF and Regional Administrator
In the National Response
Framework…
HHS is a support
agency for ESF-6:
Mass Care,
Emergency
Assistance,
Housing and
Human Services
Think it Will Not Happen to You?
Think Again…
• 60% of all Americans have faced a
disaster in their lifetime
• A significant proportion of Americans are
at risk from 3 types of disasters – floods,
earthquakes and hurricanes
• You should be prepared to be selfsufficient for at least 3 days
Why is Emergency Preparedness
Important?
Group Exercise
No Matter Where You Live, You
Are Vulnerable to Disasters!
What Are Hazards?
• Hazards are things that have the potential
to cause harm
• There are natural and man-made hazards
• What hazards do you face in your
community?
• Social influences on vulnerability include
SES, gender, age, race/ethnicity, housing,
education and many more*
Emergency v. Disaster
• What is an emergency versus a disaster?
• Disasters are not defined as the event
itself
• Disaster = Needed Resources > Available
Resources
• Disasters are defined by the communities
ability to cope
Emergency or Disaster?
Emergency or Disaster?
What Are Disaster Impacts?
• Injury, illness, and death
• Psychological distress
• Damage to buildings including homes,
schools, and hospitals
• Damage to community infrastructures
such as transportation, utility and
communication systems
• Evacuation of families from their homes
Defining
Emergency Management
• Emergency Management is protecting the
population and property from the
destructive forces of natural and manmade disasters. (FEMA)
• Everyone in a community has a role in
emergency management, not just FEMA,
State and local governments
What Government Does
• Mitigate: Identify
Threats
• Reduce effects
• Prevent effects
• Prepare:
•
•
•
•
Write Plans
Build Partnerships
Educate Citizens
Exercise plans
• Respond:
• Coordinate Partners’
Response
• Gather Information
• Coordinate Resources
• Recover:
• Restore vital services
• Restore community as
close as possible to its’
original state
Government Doesn’t Act Alone
• Faith-based
Organizations
• Community Organizations
• Volunteer Groups
(Community Emergency
Response Teams,
Medical Reserve Corps,
Volunteers in Police
Service, etc.)
• Businesses
• And YOU!
Source: FEMA
Your Part
Preparedness Begins
With You!!!
There Are Real Benefits…
• Being prepared can
reduce stress on your
family, fear and
anxiety for your
children
• The overall impact of
the disaster can be
lessened
Source (Pictures Seen Above): life.com
Step 1: Get Informed
• Ask about specific hazards your
community faces, for example hurricanes
in costal areas, tornados throughout the
Midwest, etc.
• Know community response plans – for
example shelters and evacuation routes
• Know school plans where your children
attend school
• Know plans in your workplace
Disaster-Specific Information
Hurricanes
• Hurricane Season is from June 1 – November 30!
• A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in
your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio
and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather
Radio for the latest developments.
• A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in
your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate,
leave immediately.
• Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on
their wind speed, central pressure, and damage
potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are
considered major hurricanes, though Categories One
and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your
full attention.
Hurricanes
• Cover all of your home's windows with pre-cut ply wood or
hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
• Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage
cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind
resistant.
• Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor
objects or bringing them inside.
• Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator
thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as
cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large
containers with water.
• Find out how to keep food safe during and after and
emergency by visiting:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/emergency/index.html
Tornados
• A tornado watch
means a tornado is
possible in your area.
• A tornado warning is
when a tornado is
actually occurring,
take shelter
immediately.
Tornados
• Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.
• If underground shelter is not available, go into an interior room
or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway
on the lowest floor possible.
• Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the
center of the room. Stay away from corners because they
attract debris.
• A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide good
protection. Plan to go quickly to a building with a strong
foundation, if possible.
• If shelter is not available, lie flat in a ditch or other low-lying
area. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer
in a low, flat location.
• Plan to stay in the shelter location until the danger has
passed.
Floods
• Flood Watch: Flooding is
possible. Tune in to NOAA
Weather Radio, commercial
radio, or television for information
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash
flooding is possible. Be prepared
to move to higher ground; listen
to NOAA Weather Radio,
commercial radio, or television for
information.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is
occurring or will occur soon; if
advised to evacuate, do so
immediately.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash
flood is occurring; seek higher
ground on foot immediately.
Floods
• Evacuate if told to do so by local authorities!
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown – NEVER drive into
water on the road!
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric
panel in your home if you live in an area that has
a high flood risk.
• Consider installing "check valves" to prevent
flood water from backing up into the drains of
your home.
• Find out how to keep food safe during and after
and emergency by visiting:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/emergency/inde
x.html
Step 2: Make a Plan
• Develop a family disaster plan
• Your family should discuss:
– Escape routes.
– Family communications.
– Utility shut-off and safety.
– Insurance and vital records.
– Special needs.
– Caring for animals.
– Saftey Skills
You Can’t Plan For Everything
•
We had plans for high rise fires, we had
plans for plane crashes, we even had
plans on what to do if a bomb blew up a
high rise building. We did not however,
have a plan to tell us what to do if a plane
is used as a bomb to blow up a high rise
building and never thought we’d need one.
-Rudy Giuliani
Former Mayor of New York City
Step 2: Make a Plan
• Make sure your
family carries a
family
communication
plan
Step 3: Make a Kit
• You need to be
prepared to sustain
your family for at
least 3 days
• Basic items such as
water, food and
medicine are critical
Step 3: Make a Kit
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Water (1 gallon per person per
day)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery powered radio and extra
batteries
Plastic garbage bags and toilet
paper
Diapers and wipes
Personal hygiene items and
feminine supplies
Non-perishable food items,
including food for children and
others with special nutritional
needs
First Aid kit
Prescription and over-the-counter
medications
Map of area for evacuating and for
locating shelters
Duct tape and plastic sheeting
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Non-electric can opener, utility
knife
Matches in a water proof
container
Signal flare
Paper and pencil or pen
Games/activity items for
children, in order to take the
focus off of the emergency
Keys
Work gloves
Calendar
A whistle to signal for help
Sleeping bags or blankets
Paper cups, plates, and
plastic
utensils
Why Are We Here?
Children’s Reaction to Disasters
Children’s Reaction to Disasters
• Disasters may impacts children differently
• Disasters can leave children feeling
frightened, confused, and insecure
• Children may respond to disaster by
demonstrating fear, sadness, or changes
in behavior
• For many children, reactions to disasters
are brief and represent normal reactions to
“abnormal events”
What Creates Vulnerabilities?
• Depending on the risk factors, distress
responses may be temporary
• Depends on level of exposure, prior
experience, etc.
• Child’s coping method may be modeled
after parents
• PTSD is a moderate risk and symptoms
can be long lasting if not dealth with
immediately
Reactions Vary by Age
•
•
•
•
Birth through 2 years
Preschool - 3 through 6 years
School age - 7 through 10 years
Pre-adolescence to adolescence - 11
through 18 years
Meeting the Child’s Emotional
Needs
• Children’s reactions are influenced by the behavior,
thoughts, and feelings of adults
• Listen to what the child is saying
• Try to understand what is causing anxieties and fear
• Psychosocial First Aid (PFA)
• Be aware that following a disaster, children are most
afraid that:
– The event will happen again;
– Someone close to them will be killed or injured; and
– They will be left alone or separated from the family.
Suggestions for Fathers
• Suggestions for parents to help reassure children
include the following:
– Personal contact is reassuring. Hug and touch your
children.
– Calmly provide factual information about the recent
disaster and current plans for ensuring their safety
along with recovery plans.
– Encourage your children to talk about their feelings.
– Spend extra time with your children such as at
bedtime.
– Re-establish your daily routine for work, school,
play, meals, and rest.
Suggestions for Fathers
– Involve your children by giving them specific chores to
help them feel they are helping to restore family and
community life.
– Praise and recognize responsible behavior.
– Understand that your children will have a range of
reactions to disasters.
– Encourage your children to help update your family
disaster plan.
– Talk to your children about community helpers and
community heroes who help people during and after
disasters.
When to Seek Help
• It may be appropriate to talk to a
professional if you have tried to create a
reassuring environment by following the
steps above, but:
– Your child continues to exhibit stress;
– The reactions worsen over time; or
– The reactions cause interference with daily
behavior at school, at home, or with other
relationships.
Regional Emergency Management Specialists
Region 1
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island,
Vermont)
Mary Evans
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
mary.evans@acf.hhs.gov
(617) 565-1108
Region 2
(New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
Glen Karpovich
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
glen.karpovich@acf.hhs.gov
(212) 264-2890
Region 3
(Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia,
West
Virginia)
William Evans
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
william.evans@acf.hhs.gov
(215) 861-4507
Region 4
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee)
Reginald Hammond
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
reginald.hammond@acf.hhs.gov
(404)562-2981
Region 5
(Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin)
L. Kent Wilcox
Regional Administrator
kent.wilcox@acf.hhs.gov
(312) 886-6375
Region 6
(Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)
Allen Applegate
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
allen.applegate@acf.hhs.gov
(214) 767-1854
Region 7
(Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska)
Dan Houlahan
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
dan.houlahan@acf.hhs.gov
(816) 426-2271
Region 8
(Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming)
Stephen Miller
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
Stephen.miller@acf.hhs.gov
(303) 844-1170
Region 9
(Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa,
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated
States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Rep. of Palau)
Corinne Corson
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
Corinne.corson@acf.hhs.gov
(415) 437-8661
Region 10
(Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
Lewissa Swanson
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
Lewissa.swanson@acf.hhs.gov
(206) 615-2573
Jenny Holladay
Regional Emergency Management Specialist
jenny.holladay@acf.hhs.gov
(206) 615-2772
RESOURCES
•
Department of Homeland Security:
www.ready.gov/
•
FEMA for Kids: Preparing Kids and their Families
www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema
•
American Red Cross:
www.redcross.org
•
Citizens Corps:
www.citizenscorps.gov
•
Department of Health and Human Services:
www.hhs.gov
•
Dept of HHS Administration for Children and Families
www.acf.hhs.gov
•
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
www.fema.gov