It’s important that you have a plan for your home or business for sheltering-inplace. Some key steps in this plan are:
1. Know which doors and windows are likely to be open and assign someone to check and close them.
2. Know where the manual vents are and how to close them. (Fireplace, ceilings, and attic vents)
3. Know where forced air heating and cooling controls (thermostats) and power exhaust vents are located and how to turn them off.
4. Know what room you will go into and how to seal it. Have a SIP “go kit” prepared that includes plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors, towels, rags, etc…
5. Have a radio (preferably two: one electric and one battery-operated) in the room you’ve identified. Know the emergency alert system station(s) for your area and tape the station numbers onto the side of the radio.
6. Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach and St.
Lucie Counties tune to any of the AM and FM radio stations broadcasting emergency bulletins and news.
 Go indoors immediately –take your pets!
 Close all windows and doors.
 Turn off heating/cooling systems.
 Turn off all exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
 Go to an interior room and seal it.
 Turn on radio/TV for further instructions.
You should gather the following items together in a box or other container to have ready for any emergency:
 Plastic sheeting for windows
 Duct tape & scissors
 Towels/rags for vents & under doors
 Drinking water
 Battery-operated radio (emergency station numbers taped on the side & extra batteries)
 Working flashlight and extra batteries
 Snacks
Note: Try to use a room with a phone or bring a portable phone with you.
For more information contact your County
Emergency Management Office
Indian River:
Martin:
Palm Beach:
St. Lucie: or:
(772) 567-2154
(772) 287-1652
(561) 712-6428
(772) 461-5201
Kathryn E. Boer, LEPC Coordinator
421 SW Camden Avenue
Stuart, Florida 34994 kboer@tcrpc.org www.tcrpc.org

You and your family must know what to do if you are advised to Shelter-In-Place.
Shelter-In-Place is used when airborne chemical or biological releases have occurred and evacuation is not possible. The outside air quality may be affected to the point that it isn’t safe to be outside. The safest immediate action may be to shelter-in-place while listening for further instructions. This action may reduce the chance of exposure. It’s important to remember that an automobile is not suitable to shelter-in-place. Seek refuge in a building.
If there is an emergency that may be a risk to the public, your emergency management officials will notify you by radio, television or telephone.
In Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach and St.
Lucie Counties, emergency officials will initiate the Emergency Alert System and the
Emergency Satellite Communications System through NOAA for broadcast.
Indian River
WQCS-FM 88.9 WTTB-AM 1490
Martin
WQCS 88.9 FM
Palm Beach
89.3 FM WRMB
St. Lucie
WQCS 88.9 FM
WSTU 1450 AM
1490 AM WTTB
WPSL 1590 AM
1.
2.
3.
(Includes heating and AC)
4.
 Close all windows, doors, chimney or fireplace vents. This includes everything that can quickly and easily be closed to prevent the chemical from entering a building you are in.
 Turn off forced air heating or cooling systems. Turn off exhaust fans.
 Go into a room, preferably one with no or few windows. Information will be disseminated to the public throughout the incident.
 When instructed or you deem appropriate, seal all doors, windows, vents, etc. with plastic and tape.
 Use damp towels under doors. Remember, by sealing up a room (or the entire home) for a prolonged period of time, there can be a danger of asphyxiation. Always maintain a planned fire escape route.
 Continue to listen to the radio or TV on a local news station. You will be notified when the emergency is over. (Use a battery-powered radio if the power is off.)
 When you are told the area is safe, ventilating your place of shelter may be recommended by opening all doors and windows and airing out the residence or building in case a small amount of the chemical has seeped in.
Close all windows and shut all manual vents.
Turn off the ventilation system. Turn on the radio for emergency information.