Emergency Management

Disasters pose many challenges to both individuals and communities. After a disaster strikes there can be injured people, damaged property, and a loss of essential government services. Here are a few things to keep in mind for the period following a disaster:

1. Safety first!
   Remember, if you become injured, you are now part of the problem and not part of the solution. Keep your personal safety in mind at all times, then that of your family, then your neighbors. If a building appears to have been significantly damaged, get out before attempting to help others. Attempt to flag down emergency services for help instead of entering a damaged building. If you become trapped in that same building, no one may know that anyone is in there. Never enter a burning building. You can be easily overcome by smoke before you can even have a chance to help anyone inside. Instead, note where people were last known to be in the building and watch windows for signs of survivors. You can give this information to arriving emergency services so they can more quickly provide help to those in need.

2. Stay calm.
   Panic is contagious, but so is a level head and a calm voice. Lead by example, take a deep breath, and approach the situation using common sense.

3. Account for your immediate family (or coworkers if at work).
   Try to account for people that you know were in the the area prior to the disaster. If you cannot locate someone, document it so that when emergency services arrive you can make them aware that someone is missing. If you find family members/coworkers that are injured and unable to move, leave them where they are. If the area is safe, stay with them until help arrives and provide any first aid if necessary.

   If there is an immediate threat to a trapped victim's life (such as a fire or threat of roof collapse), obtain the help of others to move the victim to a safe area. Remember to keep your safety in mind at all times; if you cannot move the victim, leave them and evacuate yourself to a safe area so that you can notify emergency services when they arrive of the victim's location.

4. Listen or watch for further information and instruction
   Teton County Emergency Management will broadcast information and instructions following a disaster utilizing local media and the Emergency Alert System (EAS). Here are some of the information sources you should check following a disaster:
   • NOAA Weather/All-Hazards Radio
   • Local radio stations 95.3 FM and 96.9 FM.
   • Local cable television channel 13.
   
   
5. Follow instructions given by emergency services.
   If you haven't been ordered to evacuate and your current location is safe, stay where you are. This will leave roads open for emergency vehicles and other responders. If you have been told to evacuate, follow the routes given and do not vary from them. If told to shelter-in-place, check this link for a diagram on how to do this. Remember to take your NOAA Weather Radio, AM/FM radio, or television with you into your shelter in addition to your 72 hour kit.

6. Stay off of the phone lines (both cellular and land-line) as much as possible.
   Phone lines easily become jammed following a disaster. Only call 911 if there is a threat to life or property. Do not make unnecessary local calls, and try to only call your predetermined out-of-area family contact. This ensures that phone circuits will be available to emergency services and those that need immediate help.

7. Take care of yourself and your family's health.
   Utilities may be offline for an extended period of time following a disaster. Underground water pipes or septic systems may be broken or leaking, leading to contamination. Assume all water not sealed in containers (including well water) following a large disaster is contaminated. Boil water for at least 10 minutes or add 8 drops of pure liquid bleach per gallon to make water safe to drink (avoid cloudy, dirty water). After adding bleach, let water sit for 30 minutes before drinking.

   Food can easily become contaminated as well. If the power is out, previously frozen and refrigerated food that has been at room temperature must be disposed of. If exposed to nuclear, biological, or chemical attack, all fresh, frozen, plastic and paper packed foods need to be disposed of. Canned food is generally the safest, unless the can appears punctured, bloated, or rusted. Be sure to wash cans with purified water before opening them to be sure that contaminants do not get into the food.

   Any bottled goods that have been submerged in water should be disposed of, as well as any dry foodstuffs that have become wet.

   Wash your hands freqently and thoroughly, since this is the main vector with which people fall ill. Be sure to use sanitary practices when preparing food, and never use charcoal/gas barbeques indoors. The carbon monoxide gases they give off can quickly kill.

   Finally, take care of yourself by eating regularly, trying to sleep on a normal schedule, and taking normal medications. Much of the stress following a disaster situation can be alleviated by doing these simple things.

For more information, check out these informative links:

• FEMA's "Recover & Rebuild" website

• The American Red Cross' "After a Disaster" website

Picking Up the Pieces... >
Click here to find out how to go about getting things back to normal after the immediate danger of the disaster has passed.

Return to "Individuals and Families" Page >
Return to Emergency Management Homepage >