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Date: 01/18/06
Contacts: Lori Wirth - City of Madison Fire Department, (608) 266-5947
Dr. Marvin Birnbaum – UW Hospitals EMS, (608) 263-9641
PREP: Planning for Work and School
Last fall, PREP began a yearlong initiative of helping individuals plan
for safety in the event of an emergency. Most of the available information
focuses on how individuals and families can prepare within their own homes.
But it’s important to have plans beyond your own personal home front.
Ask about plans at the places where your family spends the most time:
work, school and other places you frequent. If none exist, consider volunteering
to help develop one. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your
family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead, and communicate
with others in advance.
If you are a parent, or guardian of an elderly or disabled adult, make
sure schools and daycare providers have emergency response plans.
• Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis.
• Ask if they store adequate food, water and other basic supplies.
• Find out if they are prepared to "shelter-in-place"
if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.
At the Madison Metropolitan School District, Coordinator of Security Ted
Balistreri says the school district has developed contingency plans for
a variety of emergency scenarios.
“We have to be prepared for many situations,” said Balistreri.
“Sometimes that will mean that students are safest in the school,
and other times they may need to be moved to a different location. We
have to be ready to do whatever keeps our students and staff safe.”
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important
to plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in
different situations.
In recent disasters, the heartbreaking aftermath has centered on victims
of disaster searching for lost loved ones. A well thought out communication
plan can ease that task considerably.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends keeping identification
and emergency contact numbers with you. PREP is making cards available
as a guide to what information should be included.
At work, find out about emergency planning from your employer. Become
familiar with the layout of the building where you work and what evacuation
or emergency protocols are already in place.
Take drills seriously. Learn what exits to use and where to meet co-workers
in case of an evacuation.
If you have the opportunity to help plan emergency procedures for your
employer, take into consideration all employees, including those with
special needs or disabilities.
The time you take to plan now is your best option for reuniting with your
loved ones quickly in an emergency.
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