Preparing for a civil defence emergency

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 364, 27 November 1990, Page 4

Preparing for a civil defence emergency

We can't prevent disasters, but we can increase our chances of survival

Emergency preparedness -the household plan How often have you seen the phrase develop a family plan? Every time you pick up a civil defence pamphlet, or read a civil defence article in the paper, you are likely to see this or similar prompts. Why? Because civil defence professionals know that emergency preparedness starts with the individual - at home. And if you live in either a family or group situation, there are other people to include in your emergency preparedness. Why plan? The key to surviving any emergency is having appropriate survival skills and knowing beforehand what you are going to do each step along the way. Put yourself into this situation.... An earthquake strikes your area during the day and both you and your partner are at work. The children are at school. Many hours after the 'quake' you arrive home. Your partner, having the luxury of working near home, is already there. No children. Why? You both forgot to decide who would be responsible for collecting them from school. Or this situation... You are alone at home when the 'quake strikes. You realise from the effects of the shaking that the 'quake is serious. Other members of your wider family also live in the area. But how to reassure them you are safe? You neglected to plan how to make contact in a major emergency. (Sorry, no phones - the ones that weren't knocked out by the 'quake were overloaded when everyone got on the blower!)

Surviving the actual earthquake is not enough. You must be ready to survive the following 72 hours. It is possible, in the event of a major earthquake, thc.t it may take at least 72 hours for outside help to arrive. Who needs to plan? All adults in a household, along with children who can understand and carry out basic instructions unsupervised, should participate in developing the household plan. Before you read any further, put pen to paper and start writing down everything that you consider makes up a household plan. (Keep to one column so you can compare your list to ours.) Points you should have in your plan. • Emergency procedures Learn what to do to survive: - an earthquake (practice duck, cover and hold techniques) - a flood - a landslide - afire - a violent windstorm You can obtain information by contacting the civil defence organisation at your local council. For fire procedures, contact your local Fire Services Headquarters. Learn first aid - contact your local branch of the NZ Red Cross Society or the Order of St John. Their representative will be able to advise you on first aid courses. Emergency escape routes These will be necessary in case of: - fire - flood - landslide Draw a plan of your house and identify the safe ways of getting out in a hurry. Practice evacuating the house.

As part of your fire plan, organise an assembly area down the road from your house and make sure everyone knows where to go. Shelter/Safe areas Different natural threats each require their own shelter and safe area procedures: - Earthquakes: duck, cover and hold. - Fire: drop and crawl - Flood: seek higher ground - Violent windstorm: open a window on the down-wind side to the house to relieve pressure on the roof and seek shelter away from windows. Responsibilities Divide up responsibilities for: - storing emergency food and water supplies - storing fuel and cooking utensils - checking the batteries in torches and transistor radio - maintaining the disaster survival kit - maintaining the household 'getaway kit' - if you need to leave home in a hurry, you will need one - turning off gas, power and water supplies to the house planning emergency toilet and hygiene arrangements - collecting children from school - telling the wider family that you are OK - and where you are - the household pet(s) - checking that your neighbours are OK Once you have discussed what will go into your household plan, make a point of reviewing the plan regularly, say every six months. In this way, you will ensure that the plan keeps up-to-date with your life style. Good luck with your plan. Issued by the Ministry of Civil defence (October 1990)

How to save and store water 1 . Don't throw that plastic soft drink bottle away! 2. Clean the bottle thoroughly in dish washing detergent. 3. Boil and cool slightly. Rinse the bottle thoroughly in this water and drain. 4. Fill the bottle.(Using water that has been boiled and cooled slightly, will ensure that you have a supply of ready to use drinking water in an emergency). Let the water overflow and put the cap on tightly. 5. Label the bottle with today's date. 6. Store the bottle in a dark cupboard. 7. Check the bottles for clarity every six months. To freshen the water 1. You will need two large pots (or bowls). 2.Pour the water into one pot. 3. Now pour the contents of the first pot into the 2nd pot. Repeat this procedure a few times to aerate the water, (this helps to freshen the taste). 4. Ration the water - five cups per person per day for drinking. 5. Don't throw the bottles in the bin - keep and refill them when your water supply is back to normal. How many bottles of water could I need? This is an estimate for one person for just one day. Drinking and eating - your body needs about 2.5 litres of fluid each day. Set aside at least one 1.25 litre bottle for drinking. Cooking - set aside one 1.25 litre bottle for cooking purposes. Hygien - One 1.25 litre bottle. Alternative Containers Square plastic milk containers. Plastic jerry cans.

Disaster Survival Kit (It may have to last you for up to 72 hours) Food and water • sufficient stocks of caimed/ dried food; (Each time you go to the supermarket buy an extra can of food for your kit. Date the cans and recycle them within two years.) Don't forget, in a major emergency, the food that is in your kitchen will be useful too. • a manual can opener; • alternative cooking facilities (primus of BBQ) • emergency stores of water for drinking, cooking and hygiene. Emergency clothing • weather-proof (against wind and rain); • sun hats for very hot weather; • strong shoes for the outdoors; • blankets or sleeping bags. General • battery powered transistor radio; • waterproof torch, spare bulbs and batteries; Emergency medical supplies Organise through your GP- • an extra supply for chronic illness such as asthma and diabetes; • regular renewals of short-life medicines (e.g. angina tablets) Pets • extra canned food; identification tags. Household getaway kit Family documents • birth and marriage certificates; • passports; • insurance policies; • irreplaceable family photos. Essential medicines • an extra supply to last you up to 72 hours. Clothing - hygiene • we-ather proof (against wind, rain or sun) • strong shoes; • person items (toothbrush, soap, towel);

• extra items for infants and young children. Duck, cover and hold When an earthquake occurs , your reactions are critically important to your survival. As soon as you feel an earthquake - DUCK - drop to the floor. COVER - Take cover under a sturdy table, in a doorway, or against an interior wall. Avoid danger areas near windows, tall fumiture and chimneys. HOLD - If you take cover under a table or in a doorway, hold on and move with them. WATCH WHAT HAPPENS - Look out for heavy items of furniture falling towards you. Be ready to move and protect your head. RIDE THE QUAKE - Stay aware of what is happening around you. Stay put until the shaking stops. Stay cairn. Stay inside. If you are in a LIFT when the earthquake strikes - STAY CLAM. The lift will then either: • remain where it is until service personnel arrive to check it, and free you or move slowly to the nearest floor. When the doors open, get out and use the stairs. (Under the New Zealand Power Lift Rules (amended in 1989), all lifts installed in buildings after 1980 must include seismic detectors. These detectors operate to stop the lift when a pre-set level of shaking is detected. Other lifts installed before 1980 may not have these detectors, but a switch will cause the lift to stop.) If you are outside - in an open area: STAY AWAY from high walls, tall trees and power lines SIT DOWN and wait for the shaking to stop - STAYCALM.

If you are in STREET lined by buildings: COVER - Take cover in a doorway. This is safer than in the street where you may be hit by falling debris DUCK - drop to the ground HOLD - hold onto the door. After the shaking stops... CHECK yourself and those around you for injuries. Give first aid to those who need it. RESIST the urge to use the telephoneemergency services will need the system for emergency communications. LISTEN to instructions from trained civil defence volunteers (for instances, wardens in office blocke).Assist them if asked. TURN ON your transistor radio and tune into the nearest radio station. Be prepared to evacuate when told to, if your building is badly damaged. And most of all BE PREPARD FOR AFTERSHOCKS. These will occur after a major earthquake. They may be almost as strong and can further damage already weakened structures. How to make your living and workspace less hazardous during earthquakes Your survival during a strong earthquake depends, not only on your reactions when the earthquake starts, but also on the way in which the shaking affects the objects around you. Unsecured objects can become missiles. And the larger they are the heavier they fall. Here are some things you can do now to reduce the number of earthquake hazards in your living and workspace. STORE - Put heavy items on shelves nearer the floor where they can't fall too far. Light items can be stored on shelves higher up. SECURE - Tie all furniture, book shelves and fridges to the wall.lt may not look nice but putting a strong catch on to the fridge wall may save a big clean-up after a 'quake. CUPBOARD DOORS - All doors need strong catches - ones that don't open easily to prevent items falling out. Putting the television, video and/or stereo on shelves that have cupboard doors may prevent these assets being damaged in a strong 'quake. TIE DOWN - Secure all decorative ornaments, telephones and free standing appliances (such as microwaves and Turnpage 5

Getting ready to survive civil defence From page 4 computers). You can use velcro tape or bungy cords for this purpose. CHECK - Find out where the safe places are to take cover in an earthquake. Make sure these are sturdy places. STRENGTHEN - Your hot water cylinder needs securing. If you aren't sure how to do this yourself, talk to a builder. Chimneys that have not been strengthened can fall through roofs and ceilings during a major 'quake. The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) publishes a guide to Strengthening Houses Against Earthquake. This handbook provides step by step instructions on how to examine a house and determine remedial work required. You can obtain the handbook by writim> to: Building Research Association of NZ, Private Bag, Porirua. This handbook costs $18 (including GST and postage). Issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence - October 1990.