Severe Weather Awareness Week

April 22 to 28 this year has been established as the first ever “National Severe Weather Awareness Week.” As the nation marks the first anniversary of one of the largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are teaming up this week to save lives from severe weather.
The two agencies encourage the public to “know your risk, take action, and be a force of nature” by taking proactive preparedness measures and inspiring others to do the same.

Last April, tornadoes raked the central and southern United States, spawning more than 300 tornadoes and claiming hundreds of lives. That devastating, historic outbreak was only one of many weather-related tragedies in 2011, which now holds the record for the greatest number of multi-billion dollar weather disasters in the nation’s history.

The country has already experienced early and destructive tornado outbreaks in the Midwest and South this year over the last two months, including a significant number of tornadoes last weekend. May is the peak season for tornadoes, so it is important to take action now.

“The damaging tornadoes that struck this year, causing widespread devastation as well as loss of life, also spurred many amazing and heroic survival stories,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. “In every one of these stories, people heard the warning, understood a weather hazard was imminent and took immediate action. We can build a Weather-Ready Nation by empowering people with the information they need to take preparedness actions across the country.”

“One of the lessons we can take away from the recent tornado outbreaks is that severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “While we can’t control where or when it might hit, we can take steps in advance to prepare and that’s why we are asking people to pledge to prepare, and share with others so they will do the same.”

To “be a force of nature,” FEMA and NOAA encourage citizens to prepare for extreme weather by following these guidelines:

• Know your risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and sign up for alerts from your local emergency management officials. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
• Take action:Pledge to develop an emergency plan based on your local weather hazards and practice how and where to take shelter. Create or refresh an emergency kit for needed food, supplies and medication. Post your plan where visitors can see it. Learn what you can do to strengthen your home or business against severe weather. Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. Download FEMA’s mobile app so you can access important safety tips on what to do before and during severe weather. Understand the weather warning system and become a certified storm spotter through the National Weather Service.
• Be a force of nature: Once you have taken action, tell your family, friends, school staff and co-workers about how they can prepare. Share the resources and alert systems you discovered with your social media network. Studies show individuals need to receive messages a number of ways before acting – and you can be one of those sources. When you go to shelter during a warning, send a text, tweet or post a status update so your friends and family know. You might just save their lives, too. For more information on how you can participate, visit www.ready.gov/severeweather

Get Back in the Habit

As you rush through your day you can forget your car keys, wallet or the big presentation you worked on all night for the morning’s meeting.   No matter how fast your day is going, you should stop and remember to do the small things.  A small, simple activity such as hand washing is a big deal in the world of public health. It can seem like a no-brainier, but it is easily forgotten.

Children are the biggest culprit of neglecting this simple step of prevention.  We affectionately liken our little loved ones to “walking petri dishes”.  Once they get sick at school, they bring it home to their siblings and parents that care for them.  But adults are just as bad as their young. Often times you might catch a person leaving the restroom without washing their hands, or those of us who do wash our hands don’t wash them thoroughly.

What is the right way to wash your hands?

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
• Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Soap and water is the most effective form of hand hygiene.  But if water is not available, and hands are not visibly dirty, alcohol-based hand sanitizer will suffice.  The solution should have at the very least 60% alcohol.  It will reduce the number of germs on your hands but may not eliminate all types of bacteria.

During H1N1, DHWP stressed this prevention step as it made the difference in limiting the spread of the flu strain when vaccine was not yet available.  This may be a simple message for some, or a friendly reminder to others to get back in the habit of good hygiene.  If we take responsibility and remember to practice good hand hygiene, we can create a healthier environment for our family, friends and coworkers.

New Year, New Plans

Happy New Year!!!

Emergency plans are key to you and your family’s preparedness measures.  As the saying goes, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”   If you are reading this blog we hope that we have impressed upon you the importance of planning and preparing yourselves in the event of  unfortunate circumstances.  It could mean the difference between life and death in case of an emergency, whether it be a natural disaster or a public health emergency such as a pandemic.

As you recount the events of 2011 and plan for the year ahead you should consider any changes you have made since then and incorporate them into your emergency plans.  Key changes that could impact your emergency plans can include moving, changing jobs, changing schools and changing phone numbers.

Moving to a new home will change your escape plan for fire, shelter-in-place provisions and alternate routes to key destinations.  Changing jobs and schools will alter how respond in times of emergency as each facility should have their own emergency plans and policies.  Ask your employer and your children’s principal for more information on their plans.

Take the time to review your plans with your extended family that are in your plans to see if they have made any changes or plan to make changes in their living or working situation.  This is important if an emergency calls for evacuation.  Emergencies may call for you to evacuate the area and family or friends from out of town would be a great place to go until officials have lifted the recommendation. Make sure you have their correct addresses and phone numbers.

If you don’t have a plan at all, the beginning of the year is a perfect time to create one.  FEMA has a great website in www.ready.gov which provides extensive resources and information on readiness like the essential family emergency plan template.  Don’t put it off, do it today!

Give the Gift of Preparedness this Christmas

Christmas is here!  Carolers harmonize in the malls, decorations adorn the halls and lights are hung on homes throughout the neighborhoods.  Some say there isn’t a better time of the year.  As you purchase your final gifts for family and loved ones there couldn’t be a better time to pick up items for your emergency kit.   As your fellow shoppers scramble for the latest and greatest dancing and singing Elmo doll, scurry down to the hardware isle to pick up a flashlight or two, or even a multi-tool.  They make great stocking stuffers.

With all the deals retailers give during this season it is the perfect time to stock up.  If time is not on your side, there are even full emergency kits available for sale at certain outlets.   Come to think of it, it just might be the best gift you can give!  The Red Cross has its own store providing kits or you can Google “emergency kit” and find dozens of sites that offer kits for one person and those that can suit the needs of the entire family.  These kits are available in retail with prices ranging from $50 to $100.

If you wish to build a kit yourself be sure to “make a list and check it twice!” A basic emergency supply kit should include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

For recommendations on additional emergency kit items and more information on readiness please visit www.ready.gov .

Winter Wonderland and Weather Preparedness

Ice Skating at Campus Maritus Park, Downtown Detroit

Of the four seasons, winter is the most festive with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years closing out the year.   While it provides a wonderful backdrop as families and friends get together it can also be hazardous as the winter months can bring flood warnings, snow storms and the potential for extremely cold temperatures.

Detroit, in particular can have some very dangerous conditions on the roads and freeways during winter months.  Flooding, icy or wet roads and heavy snow can effect your commute in the Motor City as you travel to visit loved ones.

Here are a few tips on keeping safe and prepared during the winter months.

• Stay indoors during storms.

• If you must go outside, layers of clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear gloves or mittens and a hat to prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.

• Walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks.

• Be extremely careful when shoveling snow. It is physically strenuous work. When shoveling use your knees and not your back. Take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion – heart attacks from shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of deaths during winter.

• Avoid traveling by car, but if you must, keep the gas tank full for emergency use and to keep your fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, the route you are taking, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck or an you are involved in an accident along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

• If you do get stuck, stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna for rescuers to see. Start the car and use the heater for about ten minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes don’t back up in the car. Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so you can be seen. As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and stay warm. Keep one window open to let in air.

• To avoid accidents drive slowly.  If your vehicle slides on an ice patch, don’t panic and slam on the breaks.  Simply take your foot off the gas and turn your steering wheel in the direction it is sliding to regain traction.

• Help a neighbor who may require special assistance, especially families with infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Stay informed and watch your local weather forecast for the latest developments.  Depending on the conditions weather safety recommendations could change.  The National Weather Service has more information specific to your area and issues weather alerts through weather radio broadcasts and internet feeds.  You can visit the National Weather Service website for the latest local forecast, watches and warnings at  www.weather.gov/dtx.  There is a special website that shares weather preparedness information as well.  Click the link below to learn more.

Michigan  Weather Preparedness Information

Have a Safe and Happy Holidays from the OPHEP team!

This is a Only a Test

If you haven’t heard by now, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is testing the Emergency Alert System (EAS) nationwide on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm eastern standard time.  This will be the first time the system is tested across the country.

EAS is an alert and warning system that utilizes broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states to notify citizens and provide instructions of in case of an emergency.

EAS can be activated by the President, if needed, to provide information to the public during emergencies.  Emergency authorities on all levels of government use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency. It is an important communications tool that can provide alerts, warning and information rapidly across multiple television and radio platforms.

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. However, the image on the screen and the text/crawl at the top of television screen may not be the same for all viewers. This test will last approximately 30 seconds,  after which regular programming will resume.

Please share the word to remind your friends, family and coworkers about the test.  To learn more please visit the FEMA EAS Test Page.

Preparedness and Zombies?

As we shared last week, the staff of OPHEP joined efforts with other city of Detroit departments’ staff to keep watch over our neighborhoods this weekend.  Our work was not in vain.  Detroit Mayor Dave Bing cited a 50% reduction in fires from those last year.  We at OPHEP are proud to contribute to that decline and join Mayor Bing in thanking residents of Detroit for standing guard with us.

Being prepared means anticipating the hazards that could arise.  In the case of Angel’s night, the city of Detroit rallied together to anticipate the chance of arsonists torching abandoned homes in our neighborhoods and watched over those properties, called-in suspicious activity and made sure their own families were safe this past Halloween.

This fall, the temperature drops and the weather becomes more hazardous.  Rain, and sometimes snow can get into the mix this season.  Wet, cold climates could cause you and your loved ones to catch the flu or even pneumonia.  In your daily travels, slippery conditions can cause accidents.  It is prudent to be prepared for the seasonable and unseasonable climates.  Dress according to the weather, take your time as you travel and don’t forget to check your emergency kit for all the supplies you may need for the potentially harsh winter months ahead.   You can find a checklist of emergency kit items at www.ready.gov.

Speaking of emergency kits, the CDC has released a very interesting and entertaining take on emergency preparedness.  It’s called: Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic! It offers a little “comic” relief toward emergencies.  Click the banner below and check it out!

Stand Together and Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe this Halloween

Prevention is just as important as preparedness. And this Halloween, OPHEP is helping prevent emergencies such as arson and vandalism that has pained our city’s past.

This weekend, OPHEP, along with a host of other DHWP program staff, is set to patrol and watch over the city we serve this October 29-31 with volunteer campaign called Angels’ Night. This annual citywide effort, led by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, commissions city departments to join hands and coordinate efforts to discourage individuals who wish to do harm to our communities.

But residents play the biggest role in this effort. Each year more than 50,000 volunteers stand guard for Angels’ Night. Here’s how you can help!

• Patrol a neighborhood- Joint a team to patrol an assigned neighborhood from 6 p.m. to midnight during Angels’ Night.
• Adopt-a-house in your neighborhood- Watch a vacant home in your community.
• Provide logistical support – Turn on your front and back porch lights from dusk until dawn.
• Keep your eyes and ears open- Call 9-1-1 if you witness any suspicious activity.
• Watch your children and enforce curfew- During Angels’ Night curfew is set for 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for individuals under 18.
• Show your support by wearing an orange ribbon.

OPHEP looks forward to serving the residents of the city of Detroit in this capacity and hopes the community will continue to stand together and keep the city safe. For more information, sign up to volunteer, or register a community event in observance of Angels’ Night please call 313-224-3450 or visit www.angelsnight.org.

OPHEP Celebrates National Preparedness Month with Outreach and Training

For National Preparedness Month, the OPHEP redoubled its outreach efforts.  In observance, the program distributed educational materials on preparedness throughout the Herman Kiefer Health Complex and put together the Byron lobby display case for viewing. The case reminded Herman Kiefer visitors to do three things in preparation for emergencies:  Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed. The case contained a sample emergency kit, a clipboard with emergency plan worksheet from www.Ready.gov, educational materials on emergencies and an emergency weather radio.

The team vigilantly and vigorously reached out to DHWP faculty and staff to ensure they were prepared for an emergency.  The OPHEP staff coordinated one-day,  3-hour long training sessions on emergency preparedness. The goal is to get the staff prepared and ready to respond to an emergency as DHWP is a first responding agency to public health emergencies. The classes were a resounding success.

The staff was more than receptive as they interacted with facilitator, Richard McLatcher of HND Resources.   Together, they discussed recent events that would be considered emergencies, from the Blackout in 2006 to the fire that ravaged several city blocks this past spring.  There were many attendees who were not aware of the potential threats that are around us everyday and how often emergencies occur in the city of Detroit.

Concluding each class OPHEP provided each participant with an “Emergency Go Kit.” It serves for 48-hours of personal use and can be stored in ones vehicle or office, in case an event occurs away from the home. The kit is a great model for employees’ own home emergency kit. DHWP staff was enlightened and left with a new outlook on their role as a public health professional. The department is better for the training as other program staff were brought to up speed on OPHEP’s preparedness activities.

Also, the OPHEP staff  reached out to residents with a revised display board throughout the last week of the month to increase awareness of preparedness.  The team shared information and received feedback from residents as they discussed preparedness tips and their very own experiences with emergencies. Several residents signed up to learn more information and elected to get involved by sharing with their friends, family and neighbors.

Look out for the OPHEP staff and display board at a health fair or community event near you.

Join the charge!  Share the word on preparedness.  Remember: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.