1. Nursing Home Incident Command System
Module 1
Personal Emergency Preparedness
This is the first of five (5) modules on emergency preparedness and the Nursing Home Incident Command System or NHICS. This module is on personal emergency preparedness – why it is important and how to better insure you and your family are prepared for emergencies.

2. This program has been produced by the Center for HICS Education and Training with funding from the California Association of Health Facilities.  The materials contained within are provided for Nursing Homes and other Long Term Care Facilities in development of emergency preparedness and response programs.
Please note the message above.

3. Objectives At the end of this presentation, the learner will:
Understand the importance of personal emergency planning
Create a family emergency plan
Identify key emergency items to have on hand
Be able to create an emergency kit
The objectives of this module are:
Understand the importance of personal emergency planning
Create a family emergency plan
Identify key emergency items to have on hand
Be able to create an emergency kit

4. Why is Personal Planning Important?
Your healthcare facility has plans to meet its responsibilities
You are vital to your organization’s ability to meet its mission during an emergency
You never know when an emergency will occur …… so start planning now!
Having a personal/family emergency preparedness plan will help to ensure that you can meet your responsibility to your family at home and at work
Reduce the fear, anxiety that accompany disasters
Lessen the hardship impact
Your facility has plans in place to meet its responsibilities to your patients and you during an emergency.
However, you are essential to the organizations ability to meet its mission during an emergency.
Because we can never can be sure when an emergency will occur …… it is very important you start planning now!
Having a personal/family emergency preparedness plan will help to ensure that you can meet your responsibility to your family at home and at work.
Having a plan can also reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters, as well as reduce the hardship impact a disaster can have.

5. How to Prepare Start now!! Be realistic about your preparations
Write it down!
Ensure everyone knows it
Communication is key
Be calm, patient and prepared
Let’s review some of the most important planning steps you should keep in mind
It is important to have a personal emergency plan at home that is developed before an incident occurs. Keep the plan simple but complete. Not every contingency can be planned for, so identify what are the realistic risks for your community. Write your plan down and make sure everyone knows were to find it. Communication is key.
If a disaster does occur, stay calm, be patient and think before you act. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected.

6. Creating an Emergency Plan
Meet with all of the household members
Outline what should be done
Draw a floor plan of your home
Learn how and when to turn off the water, gas, telephone, and electricity
Creating an emergency plan at home is paramount to successful communication and your family’s safety during an emergency. To create a plan follow these simple but important steps
Meet with household members at least once a year to discuss possible emergency events, including fire, severe weather, hazardous materials spills and terrorism.
If family members are at different locations when an emergency starts, discuss in advance who will pick up the children and where you will meet if an evacuation is declared. You should plan to meet well outside the danger area, perhaps at a distant relative’s home.
4. Draw a plan of the house and shown the escape routes and meeting point; have fire drills at least once a year during the day and at night.
5. Discuss what to do in case of water, gas, telephone, and power outages. Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. If for any reason you turn off natural gas service to your home, call your gas company to restore service. Do not attempt to restore service yourself.
6. List important telephone numbers in the plan and post emergency telephone numbers near each phone. Preprogram phones with auto dial capability including cell phones.
7. Make sure everyone knows what to do if someone gets hurt - call 911 and follow the instructions the Emergency Medical Dispatcher provides. Having a basic first aid kit purchased from the store can also be valuable.
8. Select a friend or relative that all family members will call if separated (it is often easier to call out-of state during an emergency than within the affected area).
9. Pick two meeting places: a place near your home and a place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after an emergency.
10.Instruct household members to turn on the radio or television for emergency information.

7. Creating an Emergency Plan
Post emergency contact numbers
Teach children how and when to dial 911 and how to make long-distance telephone calls
Designate an emergency contact person
Select two emergency meeting places to rendezvous
Listen to TV and radio for situation specific information
In creating an emergency plan the following points should be considered:
- The plan should contain emergency contact numbers and they should also be posted on easily seen locations like a refrigerator.
- Teach your children how and when to dial 911 and how to make long-distance telephone calls to relatives if needed
- Designate an emergency contact person that everyone knows to contact and insure everyone has their contact information.
- Select two emergency meeting places to rendezvous in case you aren’t home or have to evacuate your home.
- Listen to the TV and radio for situation specific information including instructions on what to do and where to go

8. When the Plan is Finished
Discuss the plan periodically
Keep it in an accessible area
Keep family records in a waterproof and fireproof safe
Take First Aid and CPR classes
Once the plan is finished:
Discuss it periodically – at least once a year
Keep it in an accessible area for everyone to find when needed
Also it is important to keep family records in a waterproof and fireproof safe. Inexpensive models can be purchased at most hardware stores.
It is also helpful when at least one family member takes a First Aid and CPR class.

9. Child Care
Ensure that the day care provider, school, and designated neighbors has your current contact phone numbers (landline, cell phone, pager)
Make alternative arrangements to have someone pick up and keep your child
Be sure they know when and where to go
Be sure the school/day care knows it’s okay to release your child
Determine if additional medications or other items require for a longer stay
It is important to ensure that your day care provider and children’s school have your contact phone numbers along with designated neighbors.
Planning on who will take care of your children is the most important thing you can do to prepare your family for a disaster situation. Talk with your family, friends, and neighbors and see who will be able to take of your children in the event that you are needed to report to work or will be late returning. Good planning includes who will pick up your children up from school and daycare. If you will need someone other than your immediate family member to take care of your child, here are some questions to ask yourself:
Have you made arrangements to have someone pick up and keep your child? Do they know where to go? Does the day care provider or school know your pick up person has your written permission to pick up your child?
Does the day care provider or school have a current list of emergency contacts?
Does the emergency contact person know where and when to pick up your child?
Are there any additional medications or other items required the child will need for a longer stay? If so, where can they be found?

10. Elder Care
Ensure that the adult day care center or elder sitter has your current phone numbers
Determine if the day care center or elder sitter has an emergency plan; does it provide extended care?
Ensure that emergency contacts know where and when to pick up the elder person
Determine if additional general supplies and prescription medication is available; do you need to provide these?
Provide a current health information card with provider contacts
It is also recommended that personnel do pre-planning for elder care should these services be needed in the event of an emergency.
Does their day care or elder sitter know how to reach you? Do these individuals and locations have their own emergency plan? If so, do you know the important details?
Do your emergency contacts know where to pick up your elderly love one?
Also ensure that you assemble the supplies your loved one would need for an extended stay or an evacuation. Store these items in an easy to carry container. Be sure the container has their name on it. Also, label any equipment, such as wheelchairs, cane or walkers that they use with their name.
Ensure that a there is a health information card within the container. It should contain information about their medical history, medications, equipment they use, allergies, and sensitivities, communication difficulties they may have, special care needs, medical providers and important contact people

11. Pet Care Make arrangements with someone to check on your pet
Identify available emergency veterinarian offer boarding (day care, veterinary)
Identify an emergency contact to care for or pick-up your pets: when, where, how
Pet care is another planning consideration. If possible, make prior arrangements for someone to board the animal or for someone to check on its well being during your absence. Check to see does your veterinarian board animals? Many shelters, including those run by the American Red Cross cannot accept pets. For information on available pet shelters in your community contact your local emergency management agency, American Red Cross, Humane Society, or the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

12. Emergency Supply Kit for the Home
Drinking Water
Food
Special diets, children, elders
First Aid Supplies
Tools and Supplies
Clothing and Bedding
Specialty Items
To fully prepare for disasters the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross recommend that households assemble emergency kits for their homes. These kits should include:
Drinking Water
Food
First Aid Supplies
Tools and Supplies
Clothing and Bedding
Specialty Items

13. Emergency Food and Water
Plastic containers
One gallon per person/day
Storage
Food
3-5 days of non-perishable per person
Ready to eat foods
Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)
A 3-5 day supply of water for every member of your household should be stored in labeled plastic containers . Each person needs a minimum of a gallon of water per day. Freshen your supply every six months. Tap water generally may be stored for up to two weeks. Use 2-3 drops of standard household bleach to disinfect and store one gallon of water in sterile containers.
Have a three day supply of nonperishable food items ready in your disaster kit. Choose items that don’t require refrigeration or cooking such as canned meats, vegetables, and fruits. Update your food supply every 6 months. MRE’s, otherwise known as meals ready to eat, are commercially available but vary by what they contain and their nutritional value. Therefore caution is warranted if family members have special dietary needs.

14. First Aid Supplies Sterile adhesive bandages Safety pins Latex gloves
Medications
Scissors
Thermometer
Tape
Ice packs
Purchase or create a first aid kit for your home and car. Include items such as band aids, bandages and gauze, common over the counter medicines, antiseptic or waterless soap, latex, gloves, and adhesive tape.

15. Tools and Supplies Batteries Paper products
Flash lights with extra batteries
Detectors
Radio: Battery or crank operated
Utility Knife
Personal hygiene items
Cash
In case an emergency leaves you without power or other utilities, it will be important to have certain tools and supplies. Have items such as flashlights, a portable crank or battery powered radio, batteries, signal flares, matches, tape, can opener, and tools such as screw driver and utility knife. Also be sure to pack sanitary items. It is also prudent to have an adequate amount of cash available in a secure location.

16. Clothing and Bedding Shoes Rain Gear Blankets Thermal wear
Sturdy, close-toed
Rain Gear
Blankets
Thermal wear
Hats / head protection
Place at least one change of clothes and footwear per person in your disaster kit. Include bad weather clothing and blankets

17. Specialty Items Fire extinguisher Gas lighter Wrench
Ensure readiness
Gas lighter
Wrench
Storage containers
Take into consideration the special needs of your household such as a fire extinguisher, gas lighter, and wrench to turn off your gas and water. Using water proof containers possibly offers several protective advantages.

18. Important Family Documents
Insurance policies
Wills and trusts
Contracts and deeds
Passports
Stocks and bonds
Immunization records
Children and pets
Credit card accounts
Social Security cards
Important phone numbers and family records
Important family documents should be kept in a safety deposit box that is fire proof, while also maintaining a copy at one other location (i.e. family member, friend, etc).. These include:
Insurance policies
Wills and trusts
Contracts and deeds
Passports
Stocks and bonds
Immunization records
Credit card accounts
Social Security cards
A telephone directory of important contact information for family and friends should also be available

19. Child Care Emergency Kit
Extra diapers and wipes
Formula or breast milk and bottles
Extra change of clothes
Comfort item / toy
Prescription medications
Nonperishable foods
Most day-care providers have a minimum supply requirement for each child. You may also prepare an emergency kit to have at the school so that your child will have additional supplies that might be necessary. That kit could include:
Extra diapers and wipes
Formula or breast milk and bottles
Extra change of clothes
Comfort items
Prescription medications
Nonperishable foods

20. Pet Emergency Kit
Airline approved carrier for each pet with ID, photo, vaccination records, and special needs list
Medications
Leash and/or muzzle or cat carrier
Blankets
Extra supply of dry pet food
Paper towels, trash bags, and other waste disposal supplies
Cat Litter
Bowl
Water
An emergency pet kit could also be important. Recommended items include:
Airline approved carrier for each pet with ID, photo, vaccination records, and special needs list
Medications
Leash and/or muzzle or cat carrier
Blankets
Extra supply of dry pet food
Paper towels, trash bags, and other waste disposal supplies
Cat Litter
Bowl

21. Emergency Evacuation Kit
Adults
List of prescriptions with pharmacy or provider info (e.g. phone number)
Clothing
Telephone numbers for all doctors
Health insurance card
Personal items
Keep a mini “Go Kit” in your car
You never know when you will have to evacuate your home. The cause could be weather related, fire, or even a chemical spill caused by a nearby accident. We suggest that you prepare a “Go Kit” for each family member. The kit should be ready to take with you should you need to evacuate the house on short notice. The kit will provide you with items and information that you will need. The following is a list of the basic items that you should consider including in your “Go Kit”:
For Adults:
Medications and prescription drugs
List of prescriptions
Name and telephone number of pharmacy
Name and telephone for all doctors
Health insurance card
Personal items
Clothing
It is a good idea to keep a mini – go kit in your car in case you become stranded at work or on the road. This kit would have some basic clothing, hygiene products, medications and a 24 hour supply of food and water.

22. Pediatric Evacuation Kit
Children
Undergarments
Clothing
Favorite toy
Favorite blanket or pillow
Formula, diapers, and bottles
Pacifier
Child carrier (age dependent)
that they have the items that will bring them comfort should you need to be out of the house for several days. Talk to your children about why the kit is being prepared; they will be less likely to be frightened should an emergency evacuation occur. Items to include in children’s Go Kits include:

23. Employee Assistance Program
Provides free, confidential assistance to you and the immediate family
Services available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week
Initial and short term assistance and referral services as needed
A disaster is a major traumatic event and your organization’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to help you. EAP provides employees and their immediate members with free, confidential assistance to help with personal or professional problems that may interfere with work or family responsibilities and obligations. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via a toll-free nationwide number. The EAP counseling process provides an easily accessible, safe and confidential means for identifying problems and resolving them. They offer initial assessment, short-term counseling referral and follow-up services.

24. Employee Response When at Home
Implement your Personal Emergency Plan
Comply with your healthcare facilities expectations for reporting to work
Check the media for travel related issues
When a disaster hits and you are home, depending on the situation you may need to put your personal emergency plan in place. Turn on the radio or TV and obtain available information. If the situation seems serious, comply with your organizations policy for reporting to work.
If you are needed, make every reasonable effort to report to work but you may need to listen to the TV or radio to learn of travel routes to avoid or other important travel-related information.

25. Module 1 - Self Evaluation Questions 1
Module 1 - Self Evaluation Questions 1. Why is personal emergency planning important?
A. You are a vital part of your facility’s response capability
B. Will help to lessen fear and anxiety
C. You never know when an emergency will occur
D. It will lessen the hardship impact
E. All of the above

26. Module 1 - Questions 2. What step is NOT part of creating a family emergency plan?
A. Develop a planning outline
B. Involve other family members in the process
C. Ask the Fire Department for their plan
D. Select family rendezvous points

27. Module 1 - Questions 3. Effective personal planning should address all but which of the following:
A. Child care
B. Elder care
C. Water recovery
D. Pet care

28. Module 1 - Questions 4. What emergency supplies should be available in your home?
A. Food
B. Water
C. First aid supplies
D. Adult and pediatric Go Kit
E. All of the above

29. Module 1 - Questions 5. If you are at home when an emergency occurs what should be done?
A. Activate your plan only after everyone else does
B. Know your facility’s expectations of staff when a community emergency occurs
C. Go about your normal business until called by someone
D. Panic and go hide in the basement

30. Personal Preparedness Summary
Create an
Emergency contact list
A written plan for your family
An emergency kit(s)
For more information, visit the following websites:
Homeland Security:
FEMA:
American Red Cross
Ready America:
Your organization will be counting on you to help….so be prepared!
If an emergency strikes, it’s important to have a plan of action for you and your family. Creating an emergency contact list, a written plan for your family, and having an emergency kit on hand are key to being prepared and maintaining control in times of crisis whether you are at work or at home. For more information, visit:
Homeland Security website
FEMA
American Red Cross
Your employer is doing what it can to be prepared for a disaster … It’s important you do too!