Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness Plan

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, inclement weather or emergency, we have an emergency preparedness plan to continue necessary patient services. We will make every effort to continue home care visits; however, the safety of our staff must be considered. When roads are too dangerous to travel, our staff will contact you by phone, if possible, to let you know that they are unable to make your visit that day. Every possible effort will be made to ensure that your medical needs are met.

All patients are assigned a priority level code that is updated as needed. The code assignment determines agency response priority in case of a disaster or emergency. These codes are maintained in the agency office, along with information which may be helpful to Emergency Management Services in case of an area disaster or emergency. You will be contacted for medical attention:

Level 1 – Within 24 hours
Level 2 – Within 24–48 hours
Level 3 – Within 48–72 hours

In case of bad weather or other situations that might prevent our staff from reaching you, turn to your local radio or TV station(s) or check local news websites. Listen/watch for official information and follow the instructions provided by emergency response personnel. Based on what is known about the threat, you may be asked to take shelter, go to a specific location or evacuate the area. Please notify our office if you evacuate to another location or emergency shelter.

Power Outage

It is important to be prepared for a lack of electricity.

Keep flashlights with extra batteries for every household member.
Keep at least a one-week supply of nonperishable food and water.
Have an alternate plan (such as a cooler and ice packs) if you rely on refrigerated medications.
Check the refrigerator temperature when the power is restored. Throw out food if the temperature is 40°F or higher.
Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage.
Keep mobile phones and other battery-powered equipment charged.
Keep gas tanks and cans full.

Lightning

If you are inside:

Avoid tubs, faucets and sinks because metal pipes conduct electricity.
Stay away from windows.
Avoid using phones with cords except for emergencies.

If you are outside:

Avoid natural lightning rods such as tall trees in open areas.
Get away from anything metal.

Flood

Be aware of flood hazards, especially if you live in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Flooding can take days to happen, but flash floods produce raging waters in minutes. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Avoid moving water if you must walk in a flooded area. Use a stick to test if the ground is firm enough to walk on.

Be ready to evacuate if a flood watch is issued. Move important items upstairs. Fill a clean bathtub with water in case water becomes contaminated or is shut off. Turn off your utilities at the main valves if you are instructed to do so. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Hot Weather

There is a higher risk for heat-related illness in the summer. When it is hot outside:

Never leave anyone sitting in a closed, parked car.
Drink lots of water even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Eat small, frequent meals.
Stay inside and out of the sun. Stay on the lowest floor, pull shades over the windows and use fans if you do not have air conditioning.
Mist or sponge yourself frequently with cool water.
Use sunscreen.
Wear hats and clothes that are loose and lightweight. Clothes with light colors will deflect the sun’s energy.
Talk to your doctor about how sun and heat exposure will affect you if you take drugs such as diuretics or antihistamines.
Move to a cool place at the first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headache, cramps). Rest and slowly drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel better.

Earthquake

Protect yourself from falls, falling objects and crumbling buildings. It is best to stay where you are. Stay away from the outside of buildings, walls, power lines, trees, street lights and signs.

If you are inside, stay there and:

Get under a sturdy table and protect your head.
If you are in a wheelchair, move to a doorway, lock the wheels and cover your head with your arms.
If you are in bed, stay there. Cover your head with a pillow to protect it from falling objects and debris.

If you are outside, stay there. Stay away from the outside of buildings.

If you are in a car, stop, park away from dangerous items and stay there until the quaking stops.

After the earthquake, wait a few minutes before moving. Make any noise you can if you are trapped or shine a flashlight. Be prepared for aftershocks.

Wildfire

Wildfires often begin unnoticed and spread quickly. If a wildfire threatens your area, follow these simple steps to protect yourself. Please evacuate immediately when asked by firefighters and law enforcement officials.

Wear only cotton or wool clothes.
Proper attire includes long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket and boots.
Carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover your face, water to drink and goggles.
Keep a flashlight, mobile phone and portable radio with you at all times.
Take important documents with you (bank, IRS, trust, investment, insurance policy, birth certificates, passports, medical records).
Make sure to designate a safe meeting place and contact person.
Close all interior doors of your home.
Remove lightweight, non-fire-resistant curtains and other combustible materials from around windows.
Turn off all pilot lights.
Move overstuffed furniture, such as couches and easy chairs, to the center of the room.
Place vehicles in the garage, pointing out with keys in the ignition.

Civil Disturbance

Consider installing an electronic security system.
Unless instructed to evacuate, the safest place to stay is your home.
Do not go to observe the disturbance or unrest.
Close all window blinds and curtains.
Lock all doors and windows and secure your valuables and important records.
Stay away from doors and windows.
If you are confronted, remain calm and try to peacefully remove yourself from the situation.
Call 911 if there is a threat to life or safety.

Biological Threat

The first evidence of an attack may be when you notice symptoms of the disease caused by exposure to an agent. It may take time for public health officials to determine exactly what the illness is, how it should be treated and who is in danger. In the event of a biological threat or attack, follow these safety guidelines:

Check local news websites, TV and radio stations for official news and information including signs and symptoms of the disease, areas in danger, if medications or vaccinations are being distributed and where you should seek medical attention if you become ill.
Get away quickly if you know of a suspicious substance.
Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow breathing (e.g., two to three layers of cotton, such as a T-shirt, handkerchief or towel).
Depending on the situation, wear a face mask to reduce inhaling or spreading germs.
If you have been exposed to a biological agent, remove and bag your clothes and personal items. Follow official instructions for disposal of contaminated items.
Wash yourself with soap and water and put on clean clothes.
Do not assume that you should go to the emergency department or that any illness is the result of a biological attack. However, contact authorities and immediately seek emergency medical attention if your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk.
Expect to receive a medical evaluation and treatment, and follow instructions of doctors and other public health officials.
You may be advised to stay away from others or even quarantined if the illness caused by the biological agent is believed to be contagious.
Avoid crowds in the event of a declared biological emergency or developing epidemic.
Follow the practices listed in the Infection Prevention and Control section of this booklet.
Follow the instructions provided by emergency response personnel and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more information visit ready.gov or emergency.cdc.gov.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

An emerging infectious disease is a contagious infection whose incidence has increased in recent years and could continue to increase in the future. Some examples are measles, Ebola, Zika, COVID-19, etc.

Preventing an emerging infectious disease:

Ask your physician if your immunizations are up-to-date and if you need additional vaccinations.
Wear a face mask to reduce spreading germs if you are sick, or to avoid coming in contact with contagious germs if others around you are sick.
Follow the practices listed in the Infection Prevention and Control section of this booklet.

Preparing for an emerging infectious disease:

Check local news websites, TV and radio stations for information, including symptoms of the disease, areas in danger, if medications or vaccinations are being distributed and where to seek medical attention if you become ill. The occurrence of a disease does not necessarily mean there is an epidemic or outbreak.
Do not assume that any illness is the result of the emerging infectious disease; symptoms of many common illnesses may overlap. However, if you or a family member are in a high-risk group and the symptoms match those described, immediately seek emergency medical attention.
Follow the instructions provided by emergency response personnel and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more information visit www.cdc.gov.

Chemical Exposure

In the event of an exposure to a hazardous chemical, item or poison, follow these safety steps:

Seek medical attention for screening and professional treatment.
Drink only stored water.
If you are outdoors, get as far away as possible from the contaminant by moving upwind (and uphill if possible) from it.
If you are indoors, close doors and windows tightly, shut off heating and air conditioning and close fireplace dampers. Tape plastic over any windows in the room and use duct tape around the windows and doors to make an unbroken seal. Also, tape over any vents into the room and seal any electrical outlets or other openings. Sink and toilet drain traps should have water in them so you can use the sink and toilet as usual.

Remove possible contamination from your person by:

Removing any exposed clothing (avoid touching any contaminated areas) as quickly as possible. Cut off clothing rather than pulling it over your head.
Washing contaminants from your skin with large amounts of soap and water as quickly as possible. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them and put them with the contaminated clothing. Do not put the contacts back in your eyes. If you wear eyeglasses, decontaminate them with household bleach, then rinse and dry.
Disposing of contaminated clothing. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing by wearing gloves or using tongs, tool handles, etc., and place it and anything that touched the contaminated clothing inside a plastic bag. Seal the bag, and then seal that bag inside another plastic bag.
Dressing in clothing that is not contaminated. Since clothing stored in a drawer or closet is unlikely to be contaminated, this will be your safest choice. When you leave your shelter-in-place location, follow instructions from local emergency coordinators to make your home safe again and to avoid any contaminants outside.

Explosion

Get under a sturdy table or desk if things are falling around you. When they stop falling, leave quickly, watching for falling debris.
Stay low if there is smoke and check for fire or other hazards such as damaged floors and stairs.
Do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls.
Do not use elevators.
Check for fire and other hazards.
Once you are out, do not stand in front of windows, glass doors or other potentially hazardous areas.
Move away from sidewalks or streets to be used by emergency officials or others still exiting the building.
Make any noise you can if you are trapped or shine a flashlight. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
Avoid unnecessary movement so you do not kick up dust.
Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have on hand.

Nuclear Explosion

Remember the three protective factors: distance, shielding and time. Radioactive fallout can be carried by the wind for hundreds of miles. Radiation levels are extremely dangerous after a nuclear detonation but the levels reduce rapidly. During the period with the highest radiation levels, it is safest to stay inside.

If a nuclear attack warning is issued:

Take cover as quickly as you can, below ground if possible, and stay there until instructed to do otherwise. Go as far below ground as possible or in the center of a tall building.
Find the nearest building, preferably built of brick or concrete, and go inside to avoid any radioactive material outside. If better shelter, such as a multi-story building or basement can be reached within a few minutes, go there immediately.
Expect to stay inside for at least 24 hours, unless told otherwise by authorities.
If you are downwind from the detonation, you may also be asked to take protective measures.

If you are caught outside and unable to get inside immediately:

Do not look at the flash or fireball – it can blind you.
Take cover behind anything that might offer protection.
Lie flat on the ground and cover your head. If the explosion is some distance away, it could take 30 seconds or more for the blast wave to hit.
Get clean as soon as possible, to remove radioactive material that may have settled on your body.
Remove your clothing to keep radioactive material from spreading. Removing the outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive material.
If practical, place your contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and seal or tie the bag. Place the bag as far away as possible from humans and animals so that the radiation it gives off does not affect others.
When possible, take a shower with lots of soap and water to help remove radioactive contamination. Do not scrub or scratch your skin. If you cannot shower, use a wipe or clean wet cloth to wipe your skin that was not covered by clothing.
Wash your hair with shampoo or soap and water. Do not use conditioner in your hair because it will bind radioactive material to your hair, keeping it from rinsing out easily.
Gently blow your nose and wipe your eyelids, eyelashes and ears with a clean wet cloth.

Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

Follow Emergency Alert System (EAS) instructions carefully.
Minimize your exposure by increasing the distance between you and the source of the radiation.
If you are told to evacuate, keep car windows and vents closed; use re-circulating air.
If you are advised to remain indoors, turn off the air conditioner, ventilation fans, furnace and other air intakes; shield yourself by placing heavy, dense material between you and the radiation source; and go to a basement or other underground area, if possible.
Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary.
Stay out of the incident zone. Most radiation loses its strength fairly quickly.

Emergency Kit for the Home

Bad weather can be dangerous, so be prepared. Keep a kit with these items in case you have a weather emergency:

Battery-powered radio
Lamps and flashlights
Extra batteries
Food that you don’t have to cook
Manual can opener
Utensils, cups and plates
Medications
Extra blankets
Water in clean milk or soda bottles
Rock salt or sand for walkways
Extra fuel
Portable battery pack for cell phone

Shelter Supplies

The following is a list of what to bring to a shelter during an evacuation:

Two-week supply of medications
Medical supplies and oxygen
Wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.
Special dietary foods/can opener
Air mattress/cot and bedding
Lightweight folding chair
Extra clothing, hygiene items, glasses
Important papers
Valid ID with current name and address
Home health folder

Most shelters have electric power from a generator. If you evacuate to a shelter, bring your electrical devices (such as an oxygen concentrator).