'

11"~
rf
A
:r-
--·
.~ .
s%
: Mt
CONTENTS
Topic
I. Purpose -3
II. Review and Update -3
Ill. Situations -4
IV. Activities Before, During and After a Hazard -8
V. Alert and Warning - 26
VI. Evacuation - 27
VII. Sheltering - 28
VIII. Telephone Directory - 29
IX. Disaster Supply Kit - 30
Purpose
••••

The Family Emergency Plan is a useful tool that can

assist householders and family members in advance
planning exercises. It forms part of any preparedness
strategy and as a result may go a long way in
preserving human life, limb and property before, during
and after a hazard impact.

Review &
Update
It is advised that family members update the plan, by
reviewing their responsibilities and procedures every six
(6) months.

Additional revisions or enhancements will be required

once a hazard occurs.
Situations
The family is vulnerable to a number of hazards. Some of these include:
Earthquakes • Tsunamis
Hurricanes • Biological
Floods • Chemical
Landslides
Fires

Other existing hazards include:

Mud Volcanoes
Power Failures
Hazardous Material Accidents
Drinking Water Contamination

Can you list any other hazard(s)?

Major Roadways
& aterways
There are _ major highways or main roads that provide the entrance
and exit to the nei hborhood / communit . These include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Major Waterways

A waterway is a body of water such as a river, channel or canal that

may flow near your home.
These include:
1)
2)
3)
 General
guidelines in
an emergency
• Each family member must know how to turn off utilities
such as water, gas and electricity at the main.
• Stock emergency supplies and assemble an emergency kit.
(Stored food and water should be replaced every six
months).
• Determine the best escape route from your home and find
at least two ways out of each room.
• Find safe places in your home for each type of hazard.

• Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.

5EI3 53l %-4 3l %7
••••

If electrical wiring appears faulty IIIJZFEIHET3 rJ7

leaks in gas connections, repair immediately.
Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
If there are cracks in your ceiling or foundations, repair
immediately.
Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products
away from heat sources.

List any other safety tips that you and your family can apply
1)
2)
3)

Responsibilities of family members

Decide clearly who is in charge of which tasks during an emergency,
taking into account that it could happen while you are at home or far away
from it. Household members will need to agree on and share essential
tasks (e.g. contacting family members who are not at home, collecting
children at school and attending to elderly persons).
activities before, during and after a hazard

Earthquake
Before
• USE building codes or guidelines when constructing.
• SECURE heavy objects around the home.
• KEEP emergency items and equipment handy.
• KEEP the family "in the know" by practising drills.

During
• STAY calm, DO NOT panic but REMAIN alert.
• DO NOT run outside.
• STAND in a strong doorway or UNDER a sturdy desk,
table or bed and HOLD ON, (once inside).
• DO NOT use elevators or stairs.
• MOVE away from heavy objects and glass.
• STAY away from glass buildings, electricity poles
and bridges, if outside.
• DO NOT stop on or under a bridge.
before: during: after:
Hurricanes
Before
• CLEAR all clogged drains, gutters and down pipes.
• KEEP trees and shrubs trimmed.
• OBTAIN and STORE materials, such as plywood,
necessary to properly secure your home.
• REVIEW your home insurance annually.
• KNOW the areas that can expose you to greater risk
in your community during a hurricane.
• LEARN safe routes inland and location of official shelters.
• REVIEW needs and working condition of emergency
equipment, such as flashlights, battery powered radios,
etc.
• STORE emergency supplies, such as non
perishable food items and water, and have
readily at hand.
• PLACE hurricane straps to secure roofs (Can be found
at your local hardware).

During
• STAY indoors and away from open doors and windows.
• LISTEN to your radio for weather bulletins and official
word on details of the storm.
• BEWARE of the "eye" of the storm - the calm center of a
 hurricane. Don't be fooled if wind and rain cease.
pglO
 After
• STAY indoors and listen to your radio to know whetlier dangerous
winds are no longer a threat in the area.
• DO a head count of each family member and check for injuries.
• USE dry/canned foods and drink bottled water only.
• BEWARE of outdoor hazards such as damaged power lines, weakened
bridges and washed out roads.

State any other that is applicable

before: during: after:

pgll
 activities before, during and after a hazard

Floods Before
• LISTEN to your weather bulletins and take all
warnings and precautionary measures seriously.
• SECURE all important documents (birth certificates,
insurance policies and deeds) in a strong water proof
bag.
• CLEAR all drains, gutters and down pipes.
• PLACE appliances and other furniture at an
elevated height from the ground.
• AVOID building in flood prone areas such as
river banks or low lying areas.
• AVOID moving water.

During
• LISTEN to weather bulletins for updates.
• DO NOT play, walk or drive through flood waters.
• DO NOT seek shelter under bridges and culverts

pgl2
• CHECK your homes for damage and repair them immediately y..
• CLEAR debris from drains and1channels near: your: liome.
• BOIL water for drinking for at least 15 minutes
• DO NOT consume food that was exposed to flood waters
• DO NOT handle electrical equipment that was exposed to
water or moisture
State any other that is applicable

during: after:
 activities before, during and after a hazard

Landslides
Before
• CONDUCT a ground assessment of your property.
• PLANT ground cover on slopes to stabilize the land
of your property.
• BUILD channels or retaining walls to direct the flow of
surface water and debris around your property.
• LOOK for changes to your surroundings that may
signal the likelihood of landslide activity.

During
• STAY inside the building if indoors.
• TAKE COVER under a desk, table or other piece
of sturdy furniture.
• RUN to the nearest high ground in a direction
away from the path, if outside.
• RUN for the nearest shelter such as a group of trees or
a building, if rocks and other debris are approaching.
• CURL into a tight ball and protect your head, if
escape is not possible.

0gl4
 After
• REMEMBER that flooding may occur after a landslide.
• STAY away from the slide area; there may be danger of additional slides.
• CHECK for damaged utility lines or ruptured mains and report any damage
to the utility company.
• CHECK your property and surroundings for structural damage.
• REPLANT uprooted trees and plants to affected ground cover.

State any other that is applicable

before: during: after:

pgl5
 activities before, during and after a hazard

Fires Before
• OBTAIN a fire extinguisher and ENSURE that each
family member knows how to use it.
• CHECK regularly for faulty electrical wiring and REPAIR
if necessary.
• TEACH children to REFRAIN from playing with matches
or other flammable material.
• ENSURE that keys for burglar proofs on doors and
windows are readily accessible to all members of
the household.
• DO NOT KEEP heat generating appliances plugged
in or unattended.
• TURN OFF gas from cooking tanks when not in use and
• CHECK regularly for leaks.
• HAVE a fire evacuation plan and practice it with
your family.

During
• LEAVE the building immediately, if a fire is too big
to extinguish
• CONTACT the local fire station in your area to report
the fire.
• STOP, DROP, and ROLL. DO NOT RUN, (if your
clothes are on fire.)
• COVER your nose and mouth with a small cloth and
• STAY LOW to the ground until you exit the building, if
pgl6 there is smoke.
 After
• DO NOT re-enter the building until the local fire authority says it is safe to
do so, even though the fire is extinguished.
• CHECK for structural damage to your home and REPAIR immediately

before: during: after:

 3 HIRIIIe TIET-I!TE
[EZl a LINELL.I
[.LI3E1
EIH3TITUS,HZ TN.ETI.I:AZ a
[.Ia c
IEEE
HTETI G CL} E I I Gr

Ilk.Ii1' GlZ: GE

1 [!Ill r[EI[EIIEE7]
= ·J I5Jill
After
• STAY tuned to a radio ortelevision to get thelatesi%n%m eke, thtorration.
• HELP injured r appednpersons and &i1 fr
• KEEP out ofstagnant or moving water.
if necessary.
, e
• OPEN windows and doors to help dry damaged buildings.
• STAY out of damaged buildings.
• RETURN home only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• USE non-perishable food items and drink boiled or bottled water.
• REPORT damaged sewers, water lines and electricity poles to the relevant
authorities.

State any other that is applicable

before: during: after:

p9I9
 activities before, during and after a hazard

Biological Hazard
Influenza A I HlNl Virus
The H1 N1 virus was officially declared a pandemic in April
2009 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is a flu-like viral disease that is easily spread from

person to person. People who are in constant contact
with others are at a higher risk of contracting the H1 N1
virus.

Major symptoms of HIN]

• High fever of over 38°C.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose.
• Persistent cough.
• Headaches and body pains.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting
and diarrhoea.
• Severe illness including chest pains,
pneumonia and respiratory failure.

0920
 How to Protect against HIN]
• Wash your hands regularly and with soap;
• If you sneeze or cough cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue.
• If no tissue is available, use upper sleeve or elbow. Do no use your hands.
• Stay away from others who are displaying cold symptoms;
• Do not touch your nose or face after touching surfaces or after coming into
physical contact with someone, eg. after shaking hands.

State any other that is applicable

before: during: after:

092l
 Biological Hazard
Dengue

is
'.
7i
,$
!
I j •,
',h
'$
It is a viral disease that is transmitted from one human
to another via a vector, (i.e. is an organism that is able to
transmit a disease.)

·-.. ' The vector responsible for transmitting dengue is the

'¥ $
Aedes aegypti mosquito.
. ~
I

Major symptoms of Dengue

Fever
Joint and Bone pains
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Fatigue
A rash occurs three to four days after the person
starts suffering from fever

pg22
 How to protect again5! 'l
• GET rid of all unwanted containers that can collect water in aroundthehome,
• BE MINDFUL that mosquitoes breed in still or stagnant water. mm
• DISPOSE of garbage around homes such as styrofoam cups, containers,
and old tyres.
• Properly COVER all water storage containers like barrels and buckets with
a material that will not allow mosquitoes to get in.
• Properly EMPTY and SCRUB vases
• CLEAR gutters and drains of all debris
• USE mosquito repellent sprays

State any other that is applicable

before: during: after:

pg23
 activities before, during and after a hazard

Chemical Hazard
Before
• Identify which hazardous materials may pose a threat.
• Learn to detect the presence of a hazardous material.
• Find out evacuation plans for your workplace and your
children's school.
• Develop an emergency communication plan with family
members.
• Have disaster supplies on hand.

During
• Tune in to the radio or television for further
emergency information.
• If you see an accident: Call the Fire Service (990) to
report the nature and location of the accident as soon
as possible.
• Move away from the accident scene and help others
move away.
• Do not walk into or touch any of the spilled substance.

0924
 After a Che
• Return home or to the scene only when authorities say it is safe.
• Follow local instructions concerning the safety of food and water.
• Follow instructions from emergency officials concerning cleanup methods.

State any other that is applicable

• during: after:

pg25
Alerts & Warnings
The purpose of the warning process is to provide efficient

F IR
warnings and alerts of an actual or impending
-· .... emergency situation, to all members of the household.

-- E · ,
Designate a responsible family member who will take
charge of the warning process.
g PUSH IN [ The primary methods of warning are:
PULL DOWN
0926
Sheltering
List the names, location and contact numbers of the three (3) shelters located nearest
to your home.

A location A contacts

Important Shelter Tips

Your home should be your first shelter. Therefore, ensure that it is well maintained
and free of potential hazards.
Pets are not allowed in approved shelters due to health regulations; therefore
ensure that advance plans are made to relocate your pets outside the home.

0928
emergency # Telephone
Fire Service
Police
Ambulance
990
999
811
Directory
Hospital or Clinic
Family Physician • Names and contacts for all family members and
other persons in the building.

essential # • Contacts for external family members e.g. uncle,

aunt, in-laws, cousins, grandparents etc.
• All emergency contact information e.g. police, fire,
School
Municipal Corporation ambulance service, municipal corporation etc.
Family Meeting Place • Telephone and addresses of public utilities:
Check-in Contact Telephone# water, electricity, telephones etc.
Other Numbers • Name and contact information at both evacuation
points.

A name

pg29
 p
EE.,
,r1
EEL
FF
DITZEIETE]
EEL:ECt}T,{KZLC
LE.7E7EEHEE(]
appucaoreJ
• Water proof box or
family documents
EEL21ZI7LITE-ZELE-EI
• Notebooks, pencils, pens
• Bottled water
• Bleach to disinfect water
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Matches
• Battery powered radio with spare batteries
• Toilet paper
• Soap
• Body wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Bandages
0930 • Complete change of clothes
• Money - including coins or phone cards for phone calls
(these
suppli
es
should
last
72
hours.
Suppli
es
should
be
check
ed and
chang
ed
regula
rly.)
 , r ad,, .1
1.- · . - 0
it+. 40""
·· .- ; _·.,
, ., .-- ~
"",L
"" I
-1.. . ••

«
ci~-:•._;.- . . · w
'

ff
' J
I

Office of Disaster Preparedness

and Management
4A ORANGE GROVE ROAD, TRINCITY, TACARIGUA, TRINIDAD WEST INDIES
.fracebook: ODPMTT Hotline: 800.ODPM
8 1winer:ODPM_TT
(6376)

Email:
publicinformation@odpm.gov.tt
Iut# Youtube: TTODPM
Website: www.odpm.gov.tt
Landline: 1 868 640 1285/8905
Fax: 1 868 640 8988/7946