Ready Guide

1. Review the checklists with members of your household. Make it your practice to check and update your plans and supplies when you set your clocks during daylight-savings. Make your plans complete and ready to go.
2. Realize that relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but that they will not be able to reach everyone immediately. Help and repair to damaged utilities may take our or days to reach your home.
3. Remember your household will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes.

1. Decide where your family will reunite after a disaster. Pick two places
   1. One right outside your home, such as by your mailbox, in case of a sudden emergency like a fire.
   2. And another outside of you neighborhood -a local library, community center or the house of a friend will do- in case you cannot access you home or neighborhood.
2. Everyone must know the address and phone number(s) of the meeting location(s). Provide wallet-sized cards for this purpose. Make more copies of the cards if need be.
3. Because local phone circuits may be busy, an out-of-town or out-of-state contact may be the best way of communication between you and separated family members.
4. Know and practice all possible exit routes from your bedroom, home and neighborhood.
5. Practice plan with all household members.
6. Account for everybody's needs, particularly seniors, people with disabilities and non-English speakers.

1. Drinking water. At least one gallon of water per person per day; more will be needed during time of extreme heat.
2. Food. (keep in a cool, dry place):
   1. Familiar food you normally eat.
   2. Store canned food, dry and other non-perishable foods on your cupboard shelves.
   3. Replace food and water supplies every six (6) months.
3. Prescription and medications (three (3) day supply.
4. First aid kits for home and each of your vehicles.
5. Flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, AM/FM radio plus extra batteries or new wind up type.
6. To disinfect water: one quart of unscented bleach or iodine tablets and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water) Use ONLY if directed by health officials.
7. Consider smaller emergency kits for your car or office
   1. See Sheltering in place.

1. Assemble Go Bag(s) using a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels.
2. Keep Go Bags easily accessible, in case you have to leave your home in a hurry. Be sure they are ready to go at all times of the year.
3. Ensure that household members have a Go Bag and a copy of your household disaster numbers to keep in their wallets or fanny packs. (Go to www.redcross.org for disaster numbers template)
4. Medication for at least three (3) days and other essential personal items. Keep a list of the medications taken and their dosages, or copies of your prescription slips.
5. Include: personal hygiene items such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and feminine supplies, etc.
6. Child care supplies or other special care items.
7. Clothes, shoes, coat and/or raingear appropriate for the current weather/season.
8. Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. Keep at least $50-$100 on hand.
9. Copies of important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, birth certificates, deeds, photo ID's, etc.)
10. Extra set of car and house keys.
11. Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy bars or granola.
12. Flashlight, batteries-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries.
13. Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map.
14. Keep a small Go Bag in the trunk of your car or at your place of work
15. First aid kits/supplies.

1. Contact friends or relatives outside your area to see if they would be wiling to accommodate you and your pet(s) in an emergency.
2. Check if your veterinarian or groomer provides shelter for animals during an emergency.
3. Transport your pets in a sturdy carrier, this makes pets feel safer and more secure.
4. Know your pets' hiding places so that you can easily find them in a time of stress.
5. Have collar(s), license(s), ID tag(s) and a leash plus proof of vaccinations for all your pets.
6. If it becomes absolutely necessary to leave your pets behind, prepare an emergency pen in the home that includes a three (3) day supply of dry food and a large container/bowl of water. Remember, dogs will eat all the food that is put in front of them and cats will eat only what they need.

1. Leash/harness/muzzle.
2. A pet carrier/cage (a luggage carrier can be used to wheel the pet cage/carrier around).
3. Pet food, water, and medications plus can opener and food dishes in an easy-to-carry container.
4. Cat litter box and litter.
5. Plastic bags for pick-up.
6. A copy of current veterinary records, license and microchip numbers.
7. A current photo of your pet. This will assist identification should it become necessary.

1. Hearing impaired may need to make special arrangements to receive a warning.
2. Mobility impaired may need assistance in getting to a shelter. Keep in mind elevators will not work during a power outage. Technologically dependent people should check in with 911 or their doctors.
3. Households with a single working parent may need help from others both in planning for disasters and during an emergency.
4. Non-English speaking people may need assistance planning for and responding to emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help.
5. People with special dietary needs should have an adequate emergency food supply.
6. If you are dependent on electricity for your wheelchair, breathing machine or any other life-sustaining device, plan for loss of power. Consult your power provider.

1. Evaluate your capabilities, limitations, needs and surroundings to determine what type of support you may need in an emergency.
2. Keep a 7 to 14 day supply of necessary medications on hand at all times.
3. Develop a personal emergency plans for each place where you spend time, at home, work, school, and in the community.
4. If you think you may need assistance in a disaster, discuss your disability with relatives, friends, co-workers and ask for their help. For example, if you need help moving or require special arrangements to receive emergency messages, make a plan with friends. Make sure they know where you keep your disaster supplies. Give a key to a neighbor or friend who may be able to assist you in a disaster.
5. Include your home care attendant and other people in your network in your planning process.
6. Find out about special assistance that may be available in Town
7. It is a good idea to write down your support needs, telephone numbers, medication conditions, medications and dosages, allergies, special equipment, and medical insurance, and insurance cards as well as personal and medical contact details are important to have available. Keep this list with you in emergencies and supply a friend with a copy.

1. A list of doctors and emergency contacts.
2. A list of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers in your emergency supply kits.
3. Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards.
4. Keep available extra eyeglasses, batteries for hearing aids or wheelchairs and other special equipment as needed in your supply kit.

1. No one who witnesses a disaster is untouched by the event.
2. It is normal to feel anxious about your own safety and that of your family and close friends.
3. Profound sadness, grief and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event.
4. Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover.
5. Focusing on your strengths and abilities will help you to heal.
6. Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy.
7. We each have different needs and different ways of coping.
8. It is common to want to strike back at people who have caused great pain.
9. Children and the elderly are special concerns in the aftermath of disasters.

1. Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing.
2. Try to get back to your normal household and daily routine of rest, exercise, eating, and sleep. This healthy outlook will help you and your household.
3. Spend time with people you enjoy, people who make you feel good about yourself.
4. Provide extra attention and consideration to family and friends.
5. Talk about your feelings with family, friends and neighbors.
6. Get some physical exercise every day.
7. If you continue to have the symptoms described above for an extended period of time, think about consulting a mental health professional.
8. Children are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress after a disaster. Encourage them to talk abut their fears, emphasize that they are not responsible for what happened, and comfort them.

1. In-place sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment, or other location where you happen to be when disaster strikes.
2. The appropriate steps to take depend entirely on the emergency situation. For example, during a tornado warning, you should go to an underground room, if available. During a chemical release, on the other hand, you should seek shelter in a room above ground level. Because of these differences, listen carefully to emergency warnings and official instructions.

1. Go inside your home or the nearest appropriate facility (school, library, place of worship, etc.).
2. Take shelter in a room that has few doors or windows. Ideally, a shelter in place room should allow at least 10 square feet per person.
3. Seal all windows, doors, air vents and fireplace dampers with plastic sheeting and duct tape (if possible).
4. Turn off all ventilation systems.
5. Get official news and instructions by radio, television, or internet.
6. Do not use the phone - keep the phone line available for emergency calls.
7. Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
8. Make use of your Go Bag and Emergency Supply Kit.

1. If you can, shelter with friends or relatives outside the affected area.
2. City/Red Cross-run shelters will provide basic food, and water. Shelters may be set up in schools, municipal buildings or places of worship.
3. If possible, bring your Go Bag with clothing, bathing and sanitary supplies, special food, and pre-filled prescriptions and other medications.
4. Alcoholic beverages, firearms, and illegal substances are not allowed in emergency shelters.
5. Pets are not allowed in most shelters. Only service animals are permitted. (see Tips for Pet Owners page 5).

1. In order to make a difficult situation less stressful you should always cooperate with shelter managers.
2. Remember, shelters sites change based on the nature of the emergency so check with local news or www.norwalkct.org for Emergency Information.

Evacuate immediately when you:
1. Are in immediate danger.
2. Smell gas or smoke.
3. See fire.
4. Are directed to do so by emergency officials

1. Secure your home: close and lock windows and doors, unplug appliances before you leave.
2. Teach all your responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches or valves. Authorities will instruct you if it is necessary to turn off utilities.
3. Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable, protective clothing such a long pants and long-sleeved shirts
4. Bring your Go Bag with you when you evacuate.
5. Know your work and child's school evacuation plans.
6. Remember, evacuation routes change based on the emergency so stayed tuned to the local news, access www.norwalkct.org for the latest information.

1. Know the facts of a situation and think critically. Confirm reports using a variety of reliable sources of information, such as the government or media.
2. Do not spread rumors.
3. Do not accept packages from strangers and do not leave bags or luggage unattended in public places such as a library or train station.

1. Cover your nose and mouth with cloth or clothing.
2. Move around as little as possible to avoid kicking up dust, which harmful to inhale.
3. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort, since shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust

1. Wear gloves and sturdy shoes.
2. At a minimum, use a dust mask or handkerchief.
3. Do not move debris that is too large or heavy. Ask for help from neighbors, friends, and recovery workers.

1. Handwritten or poorly typed address, incorrect titles or titles with no name, misspellings of common words.
2. Addressed to someone no longer with your organization or not addressed to a specific person.
3. Strange return address or no return address.
4. Marked with restrictions such as "Personal", "Confidential", or "Do Not X-Ray".
5. Excessive postage or no postage at all.
6. Powdery substance on the outside.
7. Unusual weight given its size, lopsided, or oddly shaped.
8. Odors, discolorations or oily stains.

1. PUT IT DOWN - on the floor or a flat surface.
2. Do NOT attempt to open the package or parcel for any reason, shake it, handle it excessively or aggressively.
3. Cover it with an airtight container like a trash can or plastic bag.
4. Alert others to the presence of the package and evacuate the area.
5. Once the household or work area has been evacuated, do not re-enter until it has been determined safe to do so.
6. Wash your hands with soap and water if you have handled the package.
7. Be prepared to provide as much detailed information as possible to local authorities. Provide details of the room or area where the suspicious package was recognized.
8. Make a list of the people who were in the room or area where the suspicious package was recognized, and give it to the authorities.
9. Do not stray far from the area if you believe you have been exposed.

1. In the event of an accident or explosion, radioactive gases and particles may be carried in the air in a cloud-like formation called a plume.
2. The area affected by a plume is determined by wind direction, speed, and weather conditions.
3. Small amounts of radiation are considered safe. In the unlikely event that any part of Norwalk is exposed to unsafe levels of radiation, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure.

1. Listen carefully to emergency warnings and news reports.
2. Determine whether you are in fact at risk of exposure.
3. Take protective action that is consistent with the threat.
4. If you are safe where you are, stay put. Highways will likely be crowded with people needing to move to safety.

1. Go as far below ground as possible, close windows and doors, turn off air conditioners, heaters and other ventilation systems.
2. Stay where you are, listen to the radio, watch TV or check the internet for official news (see Shelter In Place on page 8).

1. Get inside. Remove all clothing and place as far away as possible without having to go back outside, and wash yourself thoroughly to remove radioactive particles as soon as possible.

1. The City of Norwalk has established plans for responding to potential situations involving disease outbreaks and biological events in cooperation with regional, State, and Federal agencies.
2. The City may distribute medicine or a vaccine to those who are at risk. This course of action will be decided based on the specific health threat.
3. The type of treatment used, if any, for a specific infection or disease may vary depending on each person's unique physiology, lifestyle and health.
4. To distribute treatment or vaccines, the City may open Points of Dispensing (POD's) location where treatment will be provided. If in the event that POD's are activated, listen to local radio and TV for instructions.
5. For information on smallpox, avian and pandemic influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), or other contagious diseases, visit the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov

1. Difficulty in breathing.
2. Irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract.
3. Changes in skin color.
4. Headache or blurred vision.
5. Dizziness.
6. Clumsiness or lack of coordination.
7. Cramps or diarrhea.

1. Stay upwind of the material if possible.
2. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if needed.
3. If there's an event indoors, try to get out of the building without passing through the contaminated area. Otherwise, it may be better to move as far away from the event as possible and shelter in place (see Shelter In Place on page 8).
4. If exposed, remove outer layer of clothing, separate yourself from them, and wash yourself.
5. In some circumstances, after being exposed to hazardous materials, it may be necessary to be "decontaminated". Specifically trained emergency personnel will perform decontamination procedures, which may include the removal of personal items and cleansing of exposed areas of the body. They will provide for medical attention if required.

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