Health Matters: Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

By the staff of the Needham Public Health Department

Would you be ready if there were an emergency? We have all been tested this year and we never know what Mother Nature has in store for us. Being prepared for the unexpected takes planning ahead. As a citizen, there are a number of ways to keep you and your loved ones informed and ready for an emergency of any nature.

1. Make an Emergency Kit

The first major step in preparing you and your family is to compile one emergency kit for your home and one emergency travel kit that we call a “Go-Bag.” We advise that you check the contents of the bag when you change your smoke detectors each year to keep it up-to-date. Ideally, each of these kits would allow you to live independently for at least three days if not longer. A complete list of what is needed in each of these emergency kits is available on our Web site at www.needhamma.gov/health.

2. Set an Emergency Plan 

The next step is to put a plan in place should an emergency occur. Your family will likely not be all together when an emergency strikes so remember to consider a family communications plan where each family member calls or e-mails the same friend or relative to get in touch.

Your first important decision will be deciding whether to stay in one place or move away from the area you are gathered. Watching the television and listening to the radio for official instructions is key, as well as using common sense. If you choose to stay in place, it may be beneficial to create a sealed shelter especially if local authorities say the air is contaminated or you see large amounts of debris in the air.

It is also necessary to choose several destinations in different directions ahead of time in case you need to leave the area. Familiarize yourself with multiple routes and different means of transportation for your exit. Take your “Go-Bag” as well as pets, although be aware that pets may not be welcome in a public shelter. Continue listening to the radio for further instructions from local officials.

3. Plan for Pets

We realize that pets are important members of many households and want to stress that you create an emergency supply kit and plan for their safety just as you would for your other family members. Your pet’s emergency supply kit will need many of the basic supplies that your kit requires as well as some other items.

Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar with its rabies tag and identification. Have a sturdy crate or carrier ready to transport your pet to safety as well as a picture of you and your pet together to help you document ownership should you be separated. Develop a buddy system with neighbors or relatives to secure a safe haven for your pet if you are unable to be there in an emergency situation.

Using your veterinarians’ resources, come up with a list of contacts in surrounding cities and towns that could help administer emergency medical treatment. Keep a copy of the list with you at all times and a duplicate copy in your pet’s emergency kit.

4. Be Informed

The town of Needham has also made plans should an emergency occur. We have a reverse 911 system in place to contact local citizens with emergency notifications. If you want to register your cell phone in the Needham reverse 911system, go to the town Web site, click on the residence section and click emergency notification. We have an active MRC (Medical Reserve Corp) managed by the Public Health Department. The town of Needham Web site is a great reference for up-to-date information.

5. Communication is Key

Communication is the key to preparing our community for emergencies. The along with the  chair the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) in town. This committee includes town and community leaders and members. It is through regular meetings that people get to know one another, plan events and gain trust in one another. Needham is unique in that many town departments actively participate in this important committee.

The Needham Public Health Department has an ongoing mission to develop and test emergency plans. We are committed to continuing to prepare and respond to emergencies that affect the safety of our community. We also recognize that our biggest asset in emergency preparedness is the people in the community.

We all need to be individually prepared in order to be prepared as a town. Preparedness is a shared responsibility.

The Public Health Department will continue to be a resource for the community. Please feel free to check the Web site at www.needhamma.gov/health.