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Hurricane Preparedness With Hurricane Season Underway, Families & Individuals Should Review Their Plans. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is encouraging individuals and families to review their hurricane
preparedness. MEMA has initiated routine coordination calls with their federal, state, and local partners to review well established
preparedness, response, and recovery plans. “Every home and business should have a basic emergency supply kit that
could be used for any emergency, regardless of the time of year,” states MEMA Director Don Boyce. “Everyone should
keep certain items around the house and workplace in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power.”
Each emergency kit should have a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods, along
with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets. A manual
can opener and a basic first aid kit are also essential. MEMA recommends that families develop a Disaster
Supply Kit ‘Go Bag’, with essentials in case you must evacuate quickly. “All families should develop
a ‘Family Emergency Communication Plan’ to help ensure everyone is safe. You should contact your local authorities
to learn about your community’s potential evacuation routes and the location of emergency shelters,” said Boyce.
“It is important to familiarize yourself with your Community’s Emergency Plans before an emergency situation occurs.
It is also essential to familiarize yourself with your community’s Emergency Management Plans. HURRICANE DISASTER SUPPLY KIT
Canned goods
and nonperishable foods, particularly those that do not need cooking: Canned meats and fish, Canned fruits
and vegetables, Canned soups and puddings,
Canned fruit juices, Dried fruit and nuts, Bread, cookies and crackers, Peanut butter and jelly, Coffee
and tea, Manual can opener, Bottled
water (1 gallon per person/per day), Prescription medication (2-week supply), Extra
eyeglasses, Pet food/supplies, Water purification tablets (halazone), Disposable plates, cups, and utensils, Infant
care items:
Disposable diapers, Baby wipes, Baby food, Formula, First aid supplies, Masking and duct tape, Flashlight
or lantern, with extra batteries, Battery operated radio, with extra batteries, Watch or battery operated clock, Ice chest,
Matches, Canned heat (sterno) Portable outdoor camping stove or grill with fuel supply,
A
certain amount of cash,
Important documents (Such as wills, deeds, prescriptions, passports, birth certificates, health record,
proof of address, Social Security number), Emergency generator, Plastic trash bags, Plastic sheeting or tarp, Chlorinated
bleach, Personal hygiene items, Work gloves, Sun lotion, Insect repellent, Hammer, Screwdriver, Pliers,
Wrenches,
Handsaw, Razor knife, Ax
or chainsaw, Rope caulking, Nails and screws, Rope and wire, Broom, mop and bucket, All-purpose cleaner, Ladder, Sandbags, Portable generator, Tree pruner, Shovel, rake and wheelbarrow, Sheets of plywood.
FAMILY
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan in case family members are separated from one another
during an emergency (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children
are at school, camp or at a friend’s house). This plan should also address reunification after the immediate crisis
passes. - Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve
as the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person. During and immediately after a disaster occurs,
it is often easier to access a long distance telephone number than a local one. Also, calling outside a disaster area is usually
easier than calling into the same area.
- Make sure everyone knows the name, address and
telephone number of the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person.
- Designate two meeting areas for family members – one within your community (your primary location), and one
outside of your community (your alternate location). Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section
of the community, so a second location outside of your community would be more accessible to all family members.
A Family Emergency Communications Plan can help reassure everyone’s safety and minimize the stress associated
with emergencies. STAY
INFORMED
Educate
yourself and family about emergency plans for your community, place of business, your child’s school and camp.
Know what potential risks your community and neighborhood are susceptible to in a hurricane,
such as storm surge, flooding, etc. Know what your community’s potential notification systems, emergency shelters, and
evacuation routes. Carefully monitor the Media and follow instructions from Public Safety officials as hurricane approaches.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating
federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop
plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide
information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for,
and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane
Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema.
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