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Emergency Planning

Throughout the year, we may experience several different types of emergencies in Warren and Hamilton Counties, such as power outages, flooding, wind storms, heat advisories and snow or ice storms. It is important to be prepared for these. 

EMERGENCY REGISTRY

If you need special assistance in the event of an emergency, please follow the link below and complete the on-line registration form with:

https://www.nationalgridus.com/Upstate-NY-Home/Outage-Central/Life-Sustaining-Equipment

BLIZZARD PACKS

Each year, the WHCOFA purchases "blizzard packs" for our home delivered meal clients. These are shelf stable meals that are passed out at the beginning of the winter season, and should be used in the event the meal sites are closed due to inclement weather and we are not able to deliver meals.

PREPARING FOR AN EMERGENCY

You should make sure that you have an emergency plan and the proper emergency supplies in your home. An emergency can occur quickly and without warning so a portable cache of emergency supplies that can be used at home or when you are out is a necessity.

Steps to take to create a household emergency plan include the following:

  • Meet with your family members and discuss the dangers of possible emergency events including fire, severe weather, hazardous spills and terrorism.
  • Discuss how you and your family will respond to each possible emergency. Know how to contact all family members at all times. Think 24/7 and 365.
  • Draw a floor plan of your home. If possible, mark two escape routes from each room.
  • Select two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home (a real possibility during the day when most adults are at work and children are at school).
  • Identify an out-of-town friend or relative as your "emergency family check-in contact" for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Make sure all family members have the correct phone number. It is often easier to call out-of-town during an emergency than within the affected area.
  • Post emergency contact numbers near all telephones. Include local police, fire and health departments, poison control, your children's schools, doctors, child/senior care providers and insurance agents. 
  • Have your family learn basic safety and first aid measures.
  • Keep family records in a waterproof and fireproof portable safe.
  • Have emergency supplies on hand.
  • Teach adults how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. If for any reason you do turn off natural gas service to your home, call your natural gas utility to restore service. DO NOT attempt to restore gas service yourself.
  • Make arrangements for your pets. Most shelters do not allow pets. Prior to an emergency, contact your county or local emergency management office and ask them where you could leave your pet. Have ID, collar, leash and proof of vaccination for all pets. Have current photos of your pets in case they get lost. Often during an emergency, electricity, water, heat, air conditioning or telephone service may not work. Be prepared to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer.

CHECKLIST OF IMPORTANT ITEMS

Use the checklist below to help you prepare for what you and your family will need. Consider two kits. In one put everything you will need to stay where you are. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to evacuate. If you have a pet make a third supply kit

Food and Water

  • Bottled water: 1 to 2 gallons per person per day. Additional water is needed to flush toilets, to clean, wash with etc. 
  • Ready-to-eat canned foods: vegetables, fruits, beans, meat, fish, poultry, pasta, soup, juice. 
  • MilkC: powered, canned or shelf-stable brick pack.
  • High Energy Food: peanut butter, jelly, nuts, dried meat (for example, jerky), granola and trail mix.
  • Staples: sugar, salt, pepper, instant coffee, tea bags, cocoa.
  • Specialty food: for elderly or people on special diets.
  • Pet food (if needed).

Health and Hygiene Supplies

  • Prescription medication: at least one week's supply
  • First aid kit including: instruction, bandages, gauze pads, adhesive tape, fever reducer, anti-diarrhea medication, alcohol wipes, burn ointment, eye flush solution.
  • Pre-moistened hand wipes.
  • Disinfectant no-rinse hand soap.
  • Toiletries: shampoo, toilet paper, toothpaste & brush.
  • A list of your physicians, important medical information (including allergies), and the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.
  • Copy of health insurance and identification cards.

Personal Supplies

  • A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes for each family member.
  • Sleeping bags, bedding or blankets for each family member
  • An extra pair of glasses, batteries for hearing aids
  • Identification, credit cards/traveler's checks/cash, important telephone numbers and photocopies of important family documents including home insurance information.
  • Games, books, other forms of entertainment

Household Supplies and Equipment

  • One gallon unscented liquid chlorine bleach and eyedropper for water purification.
  • Battery-powered radio or TV.
  • Flashlights
  • Extra fresh batteries for radio, TV and flashlights
  • Plates, utensils and other feeding supplies.
  • Manual can opener.
  • Pocket knife.
  • Whistle.
  • Local map.
  • Extra set of keys to house and vechicles.
  • Permanent marker, pens, pencils, paper and tape.
  • Plastic bags: zip sealing, garbage.
  • Fire extinguisher (small canister A-B-C type).
  • Food thermometer: able to measure temperature from 0 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Standard wired telephone (not cordless): Cellular phones only work if the cellular towers are functioning and the battery is charged.
  • Money: coins as well as paper money in small denominations (credit cards & ATMs need electricity).

Special thanks to Warren County EMS, NYS OEM and the American Red Cross for their contributions to this list