Preparing for the Unexpected

1. Get Informed

Janie Harris, Extension Housing and Environment Specialist
Lisa Norman, Extension Assistant

If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster relief organizations will try to help you. But you need to be ready as well. Although we cannot prevent disasters, we can reduce the risk of injury and even death by becoming informed.

A first step for disaster preparedness is to learn about what could happen and how to respond.

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Disasters

Disasters can result from natural hazards, accidents or terrorism.

1. Natural hazards: Natural disasters in Texas can be caused by drought, fire, floods, hurricanes, ice storms, tornados and, less commonly, by disease epidemics.
   
   As a natural disaster occurs, check your local radio or television station or the Internet for current information. The National Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System alert the public about dangerous conditions. You need to know what the different terms mean and how to respond. Watches are alerts to potential danger; warnings alert you to impending danger.
   
   The ultimate goal of the Emergency Alert System is to get critical information on the people who need it. The Federal Communication Commission designed the Emergency Alert System in cooperation with the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
2. Accidental disasters: Some disasters are caused by accidents, such as explosions, equipment failure, hazardous materials incidents, household chemical emergencies and nuclear power plant emergencies.
   
   If a chemical incident occurs in your area, you can minimize your risk of contamination by staying as far away from the site as possible. There usually is little or no warning before accidental disasters. So advance preparation is essential for protecting your family and maintaining a safe environment.
   
   Emergency management agencies are trained to get the word out to the public. Listen to them for directions on what to do and where to shelter in order to minimize your exposure to the disaster.
3. Terrorism: There are many forms of terrorist attacks. According to the Department of Homeland Security, acts of terrorism include assassinations, bombings, cyber attacks, hijackings, kidnappings, threats of terrorism and the use of chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological weapons. No community is immune from the possibility of a terrorist attack.
   
   The Governor's Division of Emergency Management, Texas Homeland Security, and many local agencies are working together to reduce the risk of terrorist threats in our state. They will alert the public as to the perceived risk level.

Help in Texas

In addition to listening to the emergency alert system and local health officials, you also need to know about other sources of help that are available when a disaster happens. Please become familiar with the following resources; they can provide emergency assistance and critical information during a time of disaster.

1. Emergency 9-1-1
   
   9-1-1 is the universal emergency phone number for residents of the United States to use to request emergency assistance. During a disaster, do not call 9-1-1 unless the situation is life threatening.
   
   Parents should teach their children how and when to dial 9-1-1. For tips on teaching children how to use 9-1-1, visit the children's page of the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications Web Site at www.911.state.tx.us
2. 2-1-1 Texas First Call for Help
   
   2-1-1 is a non-emergency information and referral hotline. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to every resident of Texas. Specialists are trained to provide callers with current information such as evacuation routes and locations of food and shelter during a disaster.
   
   2-1-1 Texas is included in Texas Homeland Security strategy as a way to share information and mobilize resources during local, state or national disasters. For more information, visit the Web at www.211.org
3. Texas Poison Control Center
   
   If you suspect that someone has ingested or inhaled a toxic substance, immediately call the poison control center at (800) 222-1222. A trained professional will give you specific instructions on how to handle the incident. Poison control specialists are available to take calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, see the Web site at www.poisoncontrol.org
4. Texas Department of State Health services (DSHS)
   
   The DSHS offers current information on emergency preparedness for families, professionals and responders. For fact sheets, frequently asked questions, emergency checklists and information on volunteering with Protect Texas, see www.dshs.state.tx.us/comprep

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