Plan For An Emergency

ž Plan in advance for an emergency.

Follow these suggestions to be prepared in the event of industrial accidents, transportation, and natural disaster emergencies.

Make a list of things you should take with you in an emergency, such as medicine, baby food, toiletries, eyeglasses, checkbook, credit cards, and cash. Place these items in a location known to all family members so they may be gathered quickly in an emergency.  

Prepare a shelter-in-place kit. The kits should contain heavy plastic and duct tape for covering windows and doors in your shelter-in-place room, scissors, a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery powered radio, towels, a first-aid kit, nonperishable foods, drinking water in sealed containers, prescription medications, and special dietary foods. Replace flashlight batteries regularly to ensure they will be fresh if you need to use the flashlight.

ž How will I be informed about an emergency?

Each community has its own warning procedure. Residents of Scioto, Lawrence, and Greenup will be warned of any emergency that may require them to take shelter, prepare to evacuate, or to evacuate.

Law enforcement or fire department personnel will travel through the affected neighbors alerting resident of an emergency and informing them about appropriate actions to take using one or more of the following methods:

™ CodeRED

™ Door-to-door notification

™Vehicle public address system

™ Siren sounded in an unusual, high, continuous tone.

ž What do I do if I am alerted to an emergency?

Stay calm. Don does not listen to rumors.

You may be alerted to a problem that may or may not pose an immediate danger to the community. You will be advised if there is the potential for escalation into a more serious situation. If you are informed of a potential problem, you should “stand- by” until advised of what action to take.

If you are alerted to an emergency, immediately turn on the radio or television to a local station for further instruction.

Emergency Alert System messages may be heard on the following radio stations:

WPYK FM 104.1

WSGR FM 88.3

WNXT FM 99.3

WNXT AM 1260/ FM 95.7

WDGG FM 93.7

WLGC FM 105.7

WIOI AM 1010/ FM 106.7

WZZZ FM 107.5

If you have cable television, your cable company may be carrying emergency information on all stations.

Instructions will be given as soon as official information is available, and the message will repeat at prescribed intervals, as necessary.

Do not use your phone unless you have a personal emergency. Unnecessary calls may prevent essential and official calls form getting through.

To show that you know about the emergency and that you do not need assistance, pout the fluorescent side of this card showing the “WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED” message in a window. Be sure it can be seen from the road. You can also tie a towel to your front door, mailbox, or anything that can be seen from the road.

Stay tuned to your radio or TV for more information. 

žWhat should I do if I’m told to TAKE SHELTER?

You may be asked to take shelter if hazardous material is released into the air and there is not enough time to safely evacuate.

You should go inside your house or some other building.

Close all the windows and doors.

Turn off all air conditioners, fans, and heating systems.

Use your phone only for emergency calls.

Stay tuned to your radio or TV for more instructions.

Begin storing water in containers for future drinking and cooking.

If necessary, children in affected schools will be sheltered there. Parents should not try to pick them up unless advised to do so.

Do not go outdoors unless absolutely necessary. If so, limit the time spent outdoors and cover your mouth with a damp cloth or towel. When returning indoors, leave outer clothing outside. Wash your face and hands with mild soap and lukewarm water.

Remain sheltered until local authorities announce the emergency is over. 

žWhat should I do if told to PREPARE TO EVACUATE?

Do not leave your home at this stage.

Stay tuned to your radio and/or TV for further instruction to prepare to evacuate.

Prepare your home for a three-day absence. Turn off small appliances, faucets, and lights. Turn down the furnace if it is on. Be sure all air conditioners and fans are off. Lock windows and doors. 

ž What should I do if I am told to EVACUATE?

An evacuation will be ordered only if the community is threatened and there is time to evacuate safely and in an orderly manner.

Local officials, through CodeRED, radio and TV broadcasts, will specify which areas of the community must evacuate.

Make sure that this order applies to your specific area. Evacuate your area as soon as you have been instructed. Local officials will direct you to the nearest safe shelter.

Be sure the florescent side of this “WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED” card is in a window facing the street. Even if it is daytime, turn on your porch light as you leave your home. Lock your house. The area where you live will be guarded while you are away.

Take necessities as you have previously planned in case of an emergency.

Leave when advised. Use one car per family. Close all car windows and vents. Listen to your radio for traffic information.

You may return to your home as soon as the emergency is declared over, and it is safe to return.

If the emergency involved an airborne hazardous material, open windows, and doors when you return and stay outside until the building is well ventilated.