Hurricane Hurricane PreparednessPreparedness

20132013

Jack Ellison, Jr., BS, Jack Ellison, Jr., BS, RSRS

Public Health Public Health PlannerPlanner

When is Hurricane Season?When is Hurricane Season?

June 1 – November June 1 – November 3030

2013 HURRICANE 2013 HURRICANE SEASONSEASON

HURRICANE HURRICANE CATEGORIESCATEGORIES

-- Saffir-Simpson Scale--The David Popoff Scale

Have A Personal PlanHave A Personal Plan Plan an evacuation route for you Plan an evacuation route for you and your family. and your family. Teach each family member how and when to turn Teach each family member how and when to turn

off gas, electricity, and water. off gas, electricity, and water. Develop a family emergency communication plan. Develop a family emergency communication plan.

In case family members are separated from In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster, have a plan for one another during a disaster, have a plan for getting back together.  getting back together. 

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone Make sure everyone in the family knows this number and address.in the family knows this number and address.

Don’t be these

people!!!

Have an Emergency Have an Emergency KitKit

Non-perishable food Non-perishable food Water (one gallon per person per day) Water (one gallon per person per day) Cash (remember that ATMs may be Cash (remember that ATMs may be

unavailable) unavailable) First-aid kit First-aid kit Prescription medications and copies Prescription medications and copies

of prescriptions of prescriptions Special medical items, such as Special medical items, such as

eyeglasses and hearing aids eyeglasses and hearing aids Toilet paper and other personal Toilet paper and other personal

hygiene products hygiene products Two types of identification Two types of identification

Have an Emergency Kit Have an Emergency Kit (cont’d)(cont’d) Copies of important documents and records, information to Copies of important documents and records, information to

process insurance claims. Maintain in a waterproof process insurance claims. Maintain in a waterproof container. container.

Battery-operated radio, flashlight, batteries, NOAA weather Battery-operated radio, flashlight, batteries, NOAA weather radio radio

Road maps Road maps List of phone numbers of family and friends List of phone numbers of family and friends Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags Pet supplies Pet supplies If there is a baby, include formula, diapers, bottles, If there is a baby, include formula, diapers, bottles,

powdered milk, medications, baby wipes, and diaper rash powdered milk, medications, baby wipes, and diaper rash ointment. ointment.

If you have a disability or have special healthcare needs, you If you have a disability or have special healthcare needs, you may require additional items. may require additional items.

GCHD Role During GCHD Role During HurricanesHurricanes

Coordination of health and medical Coordination of health and medical responses in 14 jurisdictions.responses in 14 jurisdictions.

Medical CareMedical Care Evacuations and EMS responsesEvacuations and EMS responses Environmental assurances (food/water)Environmental assurances (food/water) VaccinationsVaccinations Animal evacuations & rescueAnimal evacuations & rescue Pubic information & health advisoriesPubic information & health advisories Injury/Disease surveillance and Injury/Disease surveillance and

investigationinvestigation Shelter supportShelter support

Hurricane PreparednessHurricane Preparedness

Hurricane PreparednessHurricane PreparednessLevel 4 = Normal ConditionsLevel 4 = Normal Conditions

Review plansReview plansTrain staffTrain staffEmergency equipment is maintained and Emergency equipment is maintained and

testedtestedReview stock of emergency suppliesReview stock of emergency supplies

Hurricane PreparednessHurricane PreparednessLevel 3 = Increased Readiness Level 3 = Increased Readiness

Increased situation-monitoringIncreased situation-monitoringReview of plans and resource statusReview of plans and resource statusDetermine staff availabilityDetermine staff availability

(72 Hours before onset of 39 MPH (72 Hours before onset of 39 MPH winds)winds)

Hurricane PreparednessHurricane PreparednessLevel 2 = High ReadinessLevel 2 = High Readiness

EOC activatedEOC activatedSecure and protect equipmentSecure and protect equipmentClose operationsClose operationsAllow staff to secure homesAllow staff to secure homes

Hurricane PreparednessHurricane PreparednessLevel 1 = Maximum ReadinessLevel 1 = Maximum Readiness

Evacuate non-essential staffEvacuate non-essential staffStaff EOC as necessaryStaff EOC as necessary

(39 mph winds predicted in 12-24 hours or (39 mph winds predicted in 12-24 hours or less)less)

GO

Post ResponsePost Response

When do I When do I return?return?

Call (409) 938-2489Call (409) 938-2489Listen to Houston media (KTRH Listen to Houston media (KTRH

radio, etc.)radio, etc.)Check in with remote contact personCheck in with remote contact personCall your SupervisorCall your Supervisor

(be sure to update remote contact information if it (be sure to update remote contact information if it changes)changes)

Medical Reserve CorpsMedical Reserve Corps

Volunteering Volunteering

We need your We need your help!help!

Jack EllisonJack Ellison Public Health PlannerPublic Health Planner

409-938-2275409-938-2275email: email: jellison@gchd.org