Emergency Information

This information was developed by the Rochester-Monroe County Chapter, American Red Cross.

For emergency help dial 911. Set the #1 speed dailing space on your phone for 911

How You May Be Notified Of A Possible Emergency

NOAA weather radio. These special radios provide the earliest warning with an alarm that will alert you in case of anticipated bad weather. To learn more, call your local National Weather Service office.

Commercial radio and television stations.
Know your designed Emergency Alert System stations (EAS).
My EAS Radio Station is:______________
My EAS Television Station: _____________

Door to door warning from local emergency officials. Strictly follow their instructions!

Be aware of anyone in your neighborhood who may need special help. If available, take advantage of advance registration systems in your area for those who need help.

Family Disaster Plan

Plan Ahead!!!

The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. By planning ahead you can avoid waiting in long lines for critical supplies, such as food, water and medicine. Remember to review your plan regularly. Use the following checklist to get started:

Your Disaster Checklist

Assemble a disaster supplies kit.

Arrange for someone to check on you.

Plan and practice the best escape routes from your home.

Plan for transportation if you need to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter.

Find the safe places in your home for each type of emergency.

Have a plan to signal the need for help.

Post emergency phone numbers near the phone.

If you have home health care service, plan ahead with your agency for emergency procedures.

Teach those who may need to assist you in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment.

Be sure they will be able to reach you.

Medical Emergency Supplies

For your safety and comfort, you need to have emergency supplies packed and ready in one place before disaster hits. You should assemble enough supplies to last for at least three days.

Assemble the supplies you would need in an evacuation, both medical and general supplies.

Store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack of duffel bag.

Be sure your bag has an ID tag.

Label any equipment, such as wheelchairs, canes or walkers, that you would need.

For Your Medical Needs

First-aid kit

Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies

Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries

Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen

List of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers

Medical insurance and Medicare cards

List of doctors and relatives or friends who should be notified if you are injured

Any other items you may need

General Disaster Supplies

Battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries for each

Change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes

Blanket or sleeping bag

Extra set of keys

Cash, credit cards, change for the pay phone

Personal hygiene supplies

Phone numbers of local and non-local relatives or friends

Insurance agent's name and number

Cell phone charger

Other items you want to include

It may not be necessary to evacuate, or you may be ordered to stay in your home. If this happens, you will need in addition to the above items:

Water supply: one gallon per day per person. Remember, plan for at least 3 days. Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers that you are able to handle. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.

Non-perishable food supply—including any special foods you require.

Choose foods that are easy to store and carry, nutritious and ready-to-eat. Rotate them regularly.

Manual can opener you are able to use. Non-perishable food for any pets.

Shelter In Place

In a chemical emergency, you may be told to shelter in place. This means staying where you are and making yourself as safe as possible until the emergency passes or you are told to evacuate.

In this situation it is safer to remain indoors than to go outside where the air is unsafe to breathe.

If You are Told To Shelter In Place

Close all windows in your home.

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

Close the fireplace damper.

Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and doors.

Take your Disaster Supplies Kit with you.

Wet some towels and jam them in the crack under the doors.

Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents.

Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows, outlets and heat registers. If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains.

To avoid injury, stay away from the windows.

Stay in the room and listen to your radio until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.

Red Cross Shelters may be opened if

A disaster affects a large number of people.

The emergency is expected to last several days.

Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter if. . .

Your area is without electrical power.

There is a chemical emergency affecting your area.

Flood water is rising.

Your home has been severely damaged.

Police or other local officials tell you to evacuate.

Services Provided at a Red Cross Shelter

Food. Temporary shelter.

Basic First Aid.

To Learn About Red Cross Shelters Serving Your Area

Listen to your battery-powered radio.

Check with your local Red Cross chapter.

All American Red Cross emergency services are provided free of charge

If You Need To Evacuate

Coordinate with your home care provider for evacuation procedures.

Try to car pool if possible.

If you must have assistance for special transportation call the American Red Cross or your local officials.

Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

Lock your home.

Use the travel routes specified or special assistance provided by local officials.

Don't take any short cuts, they may be unsafe.

Notify shelter authorities of any need you may have.

They will do their best to accommodate you and make you comfortable.

If You Are Sure You Have Enough Time...

Shut off water, gas, and electricity if instructed to do so and if you know how.

Gas must be turned back on by a professional.

Let others know when you left and where you are going.

Make arrangements for pets.

Animals other than working animals may not be allowed in public shelters.

Residential Fires

One emergency we could all face at any time is a home fire. A home fire could be a special challenge for one with physical limitations. However, there are some things we can do to improve our safety:

Before a Fire

Plan two escape routes out of each room. If you cannot use stairways, make special arrangements for help in advance.

Never use elevators.

Sleep with the bedroom door closed. This gives you extra minutes of protection from toxic fumes and fire.

Test your smoke detector battery regularly, and as a reminder, change batteries on the same day each year. Vacuum it occasionally to remove dust.

In Case Of Fire

Remain calm.

Drop to the floor and crawl. Most fire fatalities are due to breathing toxic fumes and smoke. The cleanest air is near the floor. Breathing toxic fumes and smoke is more dangerous than the risk of injury in getting to the floor quickly.

Feel any door before you open it. If it is hot, find another way out.

If your smoke detector goes off, never waste time to get dressed or collect valuables or pets. Get out of the house immediately.

Do not try to fight the fire! Call for help from a neighbor's phone.

Never go back into a burning building for any reason. If your clothes catch on fire, drop to the floor and roll to suffocate the fire. Keep rolling (running from the fire only "fans" the flames and makes it worse).

If you are in a wheelchair or cannot get out of your house, stay by the window near the floor. If you are able, signal the need to help.

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For more information, click here fro the NY Red Cross Outreach Program