Emergency Preparedness
We hope the information provided here and the downloadable Family Emergency Planning form (PDF format) will be valuable aids to help you be prepared in an emergency.
Emergency Planning and Preparation Resources
- Western Region Homeland Security Council
- Avian and pandemic flu information
- Ready America
- A compendium of web references - medical and emergency management
resources (74 pages, PDF format)
Basic Disaster Planning for Families
Emergency Supplies – What to have in your Home
- One gallon of drinking water per person per day for three days
- Ready-to-eat dry and canned foods with a manual can opener for at least a week
- First Aid Kit, medicines and prescriptions to last at least a week
- ABC Fire Extinguishers, smoke detectors
- Flashlights, battery operated radios and extra batteries, candles, matches
- Plastic sheets, duct tape, matches, candles and other supplies and tools
- Personal products like soap, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.
- Fill your bathtub before the water goes off. Use water from toilet tanks and hot water tanks if needed.
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Consider a generator or other emergency power supply
THIS REQUIRES THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL -
Consider sources of back-up heat.
WOOD STOVES AND OTHER HEATING APPLIANCES REQUIRE PERMITS. - Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach and an eyedropper (for disinfecting water if directed to do so by the Health Department.- 2-4 drops per quart clear water, stir and let stand 30 minutes. Should smell like bleach.)
Health and Medical Preparedness Links
State Government Websites
Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Emergency Preparedness Bureau
http://www.mass.gov/dph/emergencyprep
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Local Government/Academic Education and Training Websites
Center of Excellence for Emergency Preparedness Education & Training at UMass Medical School
DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness
Harvard School of Public Health’s Center for Public Health Preparedness
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/hcphp/
Local Public Health Training Institute
http://www.masslocalinstitute.org/
Local Government Websites
Cambridge Public Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness Website (formerly APC)
http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/emergency-preparedness/
Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals’ Emergency Preparedness Resources
http://www.cobth.org/EPMain.html
Federal Government Websites
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Website
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Website
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events
http://www.iom.edu/Activities/PublicHealth/MedPrep.aspx
Public Health Emergency Website (HHS)
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center
Non-Governmental Websites
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials’ Preparedness Website
http://www.astho.org/programs/preparedness/
National Association of City and County Health Officials’ Emergency Preparedness Website
http://www.naccho.org/topics/emergency/