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VIsion/Mission Prevention Week Annual Report |
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West Virginia Chemical Emergency Procedures How You May Be Notified of a Major Chemical Emergency: In the event of a major chemical emergency, you will be notified by the authorities. To get your attention, a siren could sound, you may be called by telephone, or emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker. Officials could even come to your door. Listen carefully to radio or television emergency alert stations (EAS), and strictly follow instructions. Your life could depend on it. You Will Be Told: Do not call the telephone company, and do not call EMS, 9-1-1, or the operator for information. Dial these numbers only for a possible life threatening emergency. Shelter in Place One of the basic instructions you may be given in a chemical emergency is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you and your family safe while remaining in your home. If you are told to shelter-in-place, take your children and pets indoors immediately. While gathering your family, you can provide minimal amount of protection to your breathing by covering your mouth and nose with a damp cloth. Evacuation Authorities may decide to evacuate an area for your protection. Again, it is important to stay calm, listen carefully and follow all instructions. If you are told to evacuate, listen to your radio to make sure the evacuation order applies to you and to understand if you are to evacuate immediately or if you have time to pack some essentials. Do not use your telephone. If you are told to evacuate immediately:
If the authorities tell you to evacuate because of a possible chemical emergency, take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit and pack:
Do not assume that a shelter will have everything you need. In most cases the shelters will provide only emergency items such as meals, cots, and blankets. You don't need to turn off your refrigerator or freezer, but you should turn off all other appliances and lights before locking your home as you leave. Check on neighbors to make sure they have been notified, and offer help to those with disabilities or other special needs. If you need a ride, ask a neighbor. If no neighbor is available to help you, listen to the emergency alert station for further instructions. Take only one car to the evacuation site. Close your car windows and air vents and turn off the heater or air conditioner. Don't take shortcuts because a shortcut may put you in the path of danger. For your safety, follow the exact route you are told to take. Emergency Procedures for School Children In an emergency, your children may be sheltered in place or evacuated from school. If protective actions are being taken at your children's school, do not go to the school. School personnel are trained to handle emergencies. Do not call your child's school. You could tie up a phone line that is needed for emergency communications. For further information, listen to local emergency radio and TV stations
to learn when where you can pick up your children.
This information came from the Your Guide to Home Chemical Safety and Emergency Procedures which is a booklet produced by the American Red Cross. For more information contact the West Virginia Poison Center, local EMS department or your local chapter of the American Red Cross. 
Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office Chemical Emergency Poison Control Kanawha Putnam Emergency Planning Committee Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry South Charleston WV Community Advisory Panel Ritchie County Emergency Squad, Inc. revised: May, 2007 |
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