This posting is the second in a series presented by Dwight Murphy, Vice Chairman. Dwight has been a law enforcement officer for almost 30 years and is currently a Detective for the State of Florida.
This week’s safety corner is related to Hurricanes and some simple steps we can take to minimize the response of emergency services. After spending a month assisting in New Orleans during Katrina, I learned that no matter the planning, there are things that may be out of your control. However, when thinking about being safe and secure, there are things that can minimize our ability to survive.
Every family should develop a ‘Family Communication Plan’ to help ensure everyone is safe.
FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN
Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan in case family members are separated from one another during an emergency. 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.
- Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and camp, as well as your place of business.
- A Family Emergency Communications Plan can help reassure everyone’s safety and minimize the stress associated with emergencies.
Remember it is not “IF?” it is “WHEN!” this occurs
Dwight Murphy, Vice Chairman