- Learn & Plan
- Prepare
- Practice
- Remain Calm
- Gather Information
- Think
- Act
- Help
- Help
- Talk About It
- Resume Normal Life
Once an emergency happens, other than staying calm, the first thing we need to do is gather information. Quickly gather as much information as possible about the situation.
What we need to know
WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY? Nothing is scarier than facing an unknown threat. The more you know what you are facing, the better you will be able to respond to the situation. The noise that woke you up, is it an earthquake? An intruder? A house fire?
WHAT SIZE IS THE EMERGENCY? Is it just affecting you? Your family? Your neighborhood? City? State? Nation?
WHAT AREAS ARE AFFECTED? Is it in our room or the basement? Our house or the neighbors? Our neighborhood or three blocks north? Which city? Which state? Nation?
HOW SEVERE IS THE EMERGENCY? Is it a category 1 tornado or a 5? Is it a 2.5 scaled earthquake or an 8.5? Is it a first degree burn or a third? Heart burn or a heart attack?
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO RESPOND? Do I have seconds to escape my burning house? Is there minutes before the tornado arrives? Do I have hours before the wildfire reaches my house? Days before the hurricane arrives?
WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED DURATION OF THE EMERGENCY? Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? Longer?
WHAT DO COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WANT US TO DO? Do they need volunteers? Do we evacuate or shelter in place? If we evacuate, which route do we take? Is it safe to drink the incoming water?
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS? Are the kids at school? How are they? Are they sheltering at the school or are they coming home? Can Mom and Dad make it home from work? Are they ok? Is Fido still in the backyard?
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MY NEIGHBORS? Does the old couple across the street need help? How about the single mother of 4 two houses down?
How we gather information
What’s the first source of emergency information you think of? Probably the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The EAS was created from the old national Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) that was developed during the cold war to alert in case of a nuclear attack. The EAS is now used and controlled in your local area to alert in time of emergencies, natural and manmade. It is also used for Amber Alerts. All television and radio stations are required by the FCC to broadcast EAS alerts in the event of an emergency. Be aware that oftentimes news organizations are more concerned with being first with information than being accurate with information. If possible, use more than one or two sources to get a more complete picture of what is happening. Have a battery operated radio you can use if the power goes out. Also listen to the Nation Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather channels. An emergency alert radio that automatically turns on in the event of an emergency is a good safe guard for your family.
If there is time, local authorities and police may drive down the streets broadcasting the emergency information through loud speakers or going door to door.
Some communities even have what is called “Reverse 911”. Instead of YOU calling emergency dispatch, an automated message is sent from dispatch to all the land phones in the affected area. Mobile phones and unlisted phones are not called unless users signup to be part of the service.
On a personal level, we have five senses to help us gather information as well. Look around and SEE what is going on. LISTEN not only to the radio and television, but to family members and neighbors. Listen for sounds that may signal impending dangers. SMELL can sometimes tell us about hazards, like natural gas leaks, that may be difficult to see or hear. Our sense of TOUCH can tell us if a door is warm, signifying fire on the other side; or if a piece of debris on the ground may not be stable to stand on. TASTE can tell us if water or food is not safe to consume.
There are many ways to gather information in an emergency. Use as many as you are able to, as quickly as possible so you know what you are facing and how to respond.