St. Vincent de Paul Parish | Vincent's People - Issue: Q2, 2006 - Can We Please Stop Talking About <i>The Da Vinci Code</i>...Its Just a Movie.

Issue: Q3, 2006 — Table of Contents:	› Home	› Feast of St. Vincent de Paul
		› Disaster Preparedness
		› Cardinal Francis George

Disaster Preparedness
By Karyn Holm PhD RN and Susie McNulty BSN RN

It is difficult to consider the possibility of disaster. However if and when disaster occurs, insuring the safety, health, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities are central concerns. Here we offer general guidelines aimed at preparing for the event of a disaster, concluding with governmental internet sites that can and should be accessed for further information. 1. Learn first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Acquire first aid and CPR skills. Practice often. Be ready to implement these skills if and when necessary. Such efforts can save lives. 2. Know your surroundings. Create a map of your house or apartment showing doors and windows, and additional ways to exit the premises such as fire escapes or through windows that open. Mark the location of gas, water, and electric shut off points and the location(s) of emergency supplies. 3. Keep emergency supplies in one location. Supplies such as bottled water, packaged or canned foods not requiring refrigeration, and a first-aid kit are essential. Other essentials include fire extinguishers, flashlights, a battery powered radio, and of course extra batteries. If you are taking prescription drugs, have a supply of your medications readily available. Consult with your physician for specific information concerning your medications and to determine how best your medications should be stored. 4. Have a communication plan. In the event of disaster family and significant others should know who they should call to let those concerned know where and how they are. Therefore, it is important to identify a friend or relative outside the immediate area who is willing to take such calls...	.... in the event of a disaster. Record this contact number on a wallet size card and post this contact number at strategic locations within your house or apartment. Program the number into cell phones as well. 5. Know that disaster preparedness is needed at places of employment, schools, extending to the community at large. Everything that is written here about disaster preparedness in your home to benefit your family and loved ones, applies to places of employment, schools, and the community at large. Where no disaster plan exists, why not take the lead toward insuring that that everyone is afforded the opportunity to be safe if and when disaster strikes. 6. Review guidelines posted by governmental agencies. The internet sites for relevant governmental agencies are shown in the table that follows. Access each of these sites often to become familiar with updates and changes. Table of Internet Web Sites Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov/ Federal Department of Homeland Security Illinois Emergency Management: http://www.state.il.us/iema/ State of Illinois Emergency Checklist State of Illinois Emergency Citizen Guide State of Illinois Emergency Volunteers Cook County: http://www.cookcountypublichealth.org/ Chicago: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/

email your feedback to |