- Disaster Preparedness Checklist (Awesome Library)
- Provides a checklist of items needed and steps to take immediately before escaping to an upper floor of a building or a designated shelter in a flood threat. 9-05
- Disaster Preparedness Checklist for Leaders (Awesome Library)
- Provides a command and control checklist to help city, county, state, and federal government leaders gain agreement on leadership for each critical issue in case of a disaster. By gaining agreement on lines of authority before a disaster, lives and property can be saved. The next steps in preparedness would be development of a "critical path" flow chart, followed by training and a simulation. 9-05
- Disaster Preparedness Checklist for Shelters (Awesome Library)
- Provides a checklist of items needed and steps to take immediately before escaping to an upper floor of a building or a designated shelter in a flood threat. 9-05
- Evacuation and Prefab Cities (Awesome Library)
- "Our cities do not have enough highway capacity to allow us to evacuate quickly. Yet, an earthquake, a 'dirty bomb,' tsunami, biological attack, or other type of disaster hitting a large city will still require rapid evacuation to avoid a great deal more suffering."
"Major disasters to major cities are inevitable. It is a question of 'when,' not 'if.' "
"What if we plan and require 'evacuation drills' for cities just like we now plan and require 'fire drills' for buildings?"
We also need to ready destination sites for evacuees to stay days and up to months. "Prefab cities would become the 'storm shelters' of the future." 9-05
- Storm Checklist for Homes (MSNBC)
- Provides lists of things to do to better protect your home from storms, including flood and wind damage. 9-05
- -Pandemic or Hurricane Checklist (Awesome Library)
- Provides recommendations for what to assemble to prepare for avian (bird) flu or other pandemic. Includes recommendations appropriate for preparing for a hurricane also. 03-06
- Disaster Kit (Ready.gov)
- Suggests ingredients for a disaster preparedness kit.
- Help Children Understand the Disaster (OrlandoSentinel.com)
- "Increased anxiety and fear is common in children during a time of tragedy, said Dr. Karen Weiss, an adjunct psychology professor at Stetson University in DeLand who specializes in child and family therapy."
" 'Young children might become more afraid that something will happen to them or to the adults that care for them,' she said."
"She advised parents to answer children's questions truthfully and in terms that their children can understand, without lingering on the subject." " 'The important thing is to validate their concerns,' she said. 'If they're upset, allow them to be upset. Don't just brush it off.' " " 'But children shouldn't be allowed to stayglued to newscasts all day -- particularly young children, who easily confuse real-life news events with the fiction they have seen in movies, experts said. Children also may be scared about the cause of the shuttle disaster.' " 2-03
- Shelter in Place (Emergency.CDC.gov)
- " 'Shelter-in-place' means to take immediate shelter where you are—at home, work, school, or in between. It may also mean 'seal the room;' in other words, take steps to prevent outside air from coming in. This is because local authorities may instruct you to 'shelter-in-place' if chemical or radiological contaminants are released into the environment. It is important to listen to TV or radio to understand whether the authorities wish you to merely remain indoors or to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family." 01-08
- -Water Storage (2kStore.com)
- Provides recommendations for safe water storage. 9-05
- America Is Not Prepared for More Frequent Natural Disasters (CBS News)
- "The overwhelming consensus among scientists is that the climate has changed. Global warming is making Mother Nature more mischievous, resulting in weather events that are more frequent and extreme. These disasters pose a greater risk both because the majority of Americans now live within 50 miles of the coast and because the critical infrastructure that coastal communities rely on is becoming more exposed and vulnerable."
"As extreme weather events become more frequent, it is important to try to make them less disruptive. This places a premium on bolstering community resilience. People and systems need to be able to better withstand, respond, adapt, and rapidly recover from disasters."
"For instance, electric power could be restored more quickly if local independent licensed electricians could be deputized to support utility crews in conducting damage assessments and making repairs." 01-13
- Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Plan (Time.com)
- "Asia-Pacific powers on Thursday announced an ambitious plan to pool their military and civilian resources for disaster responses in a region beset by cyclones, earthquakes and floods." 07-08
- Bleach Treatment for Purifying Household Water (BCHealthGuide.org)
- "Unscented household bleach with 5% chlorine can sometimes be a good disinfectant. For example, this may work when the water is not heavily polluted, or when Giardia or cryptosporidiosis are not a concern."
"Bleach does not work well in killing off Giardia or beaver fever or Cryptosporidium parasites. The amount of bleach needed to kill these parasites makes the water almost impossible to drink. If Cryptosporidium or Giardia are in your water, boiling is the best way to ensure safe drinking water."
"Disinfection using bleach works best with warm water. Add 1 drop (0.05 mL) of bleach to 1 Litre [33.8 fluid ounces] of water, shake and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes before drinking. Double the amount of bleach for cloudy water or for cooler water. A slight chlorine odour should still be noticeable at the end of the 30-minute waiting period if you have added enough bleach. The longer the water is left to stand after adding bleach, the more effective the disinfection process will be."
"If you are treating water from a lake, stream or shallow well, use twice as much household (5%) bleach as indicated in the chart below and wait twice as long before drinking it because it is more likely to contain chlorine-resistant parasites from animal droppings."
"Let the water stand for at least an hour after adding the bleach before you start drinking it. If the water is colder than 10°C [50 degrees Fahrenheit] or has a pH higher than 8, let the water stand for at least two hours before drinking." 10-07
- Boiling for Purifying Household Water (BCHealthGuide.org)
- "Boiling is the best way to kill bacteria, viruses and parasites. A full boil for at least one minute is recommended. At elevations over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) you should boil water for at least two minutes to disinfect it. NOTE: This is not appropriate for water that is heavily polluted or subject to chemical contamination." 10-07
- Cell Phone Chargers - Hand-Crank (SOSCharger.net)
- Provides a charger for your cell phone using hand cranking to generate the electricity. Awesome Library provides this listing as an example and does not endorse this product. 9-05
- Coping With Unexpected Disasters (American Red Cross)
- Describes different emotional and physical reactions to a disaster. Suggests how to deal with reactions. 9-01
- Disaster Dining (CNN News)
- "Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content." 08-12
- Disaster Equipment (CBS News)
- "Best magazine's senior editor David Gregg has some of the newest emergency gear that could aid you and your family in the event of a disaster." 9-05
- Disaster Preparation Checklist (CNN News)
- "In areas where hurricanes can strike, it's a good idea to have a closet or an area set aside for storm preparedness storage. There, you can keep items you'll need in case disaster strikes suddenly or you need to evacuate." 08-12
- Disaster Preparation Mobile Application for Hurricanes (Play.Google.com)
- "Be ready for severe weather with Hurricane by American Red Cross. Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do." 08-12
- Disaster Preparedness Checklist (RedCross.org)
- Provides a checklist.
Editor's Note: Suggests using a battery-powered radio and a battery-powered flashlight and extra batteries. Batteries last several hours, at best, yet we are to prepare for days. Awesome Library staff recommend crank-powered emergency radios and flashlights instead. Turn the crank for a minute for an hour of use. These are available at many stores that carry camping supplies. The flashlights should use LED's instead of bulbs. Also include a hand-held water purifier, also available at stores that carry camping supplies. 03-06
- Disaster Preparedness Checklist (TheEpicenter.com)
- Provides a checklist to use for work, home, or the car.
Editor's Note: Suggests using a battery-powered radio and a battery-powered flashlight and extra batteries. Batteries last several hours, at best, yet we are to prepare for days. Awesome Library staff recommend crank-powered emergency radios and flashlights instead. Turn the crank for a minute for an hour of use. These are available at many stores that carry camping supplies. The flashlights should use LED's instead of bulbs. Also include a hand-held water purifier, also available at stores that carry camping supplies. 03-06
- Disaster-Ready Homes (CNBC News)
- "It’s impossible for any one structure to be impenetrable to every potential crisis, so emergency-minded homebuilders and buyers have to pick some favorites and hope they choose correctly." 07-11
- Disasters - Helping Children After a Disaster (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
- Provides basic suggestions.
- Disasters - How to Keep Your Family Safe (American Red Cross)
- Describes how to plan for disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes. (Tornadoes are sometimes misspelled by visitors as tornados.)
- Disasters - How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster (DisasterEducation.org)
- Describes how to plan for a disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
- Disasters - How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster (Epicenter)
- Describes how to plan for disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
- Generators - Safety (RedCross.org)
- "Under no circumstances should portable generators be used indoors, including inside a garage, carport, basement, crawlspace, or other enclosed or partially-enclosed area, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home." 9-05
- Hurricane Strength Prediction (MSNBC News)
- "Scientists have built a computer model that could help limit damage by predicting the strength of hurricane activity in the United States."
- Hurricanes - Preparation (USAToday.com)
- "If your house is in danger of being hit by a hurricane, protecting windows and sliding glass doors is almost always the number one thing you can do to ensure you'll have a livable house if the worse happens." "But, if you wait until a hurricane watch is posted, you are almost surely too late." 9-04
- Iodine Treatment for Purifying Household Water (BCHealthGuide.org)
- "Whenever possible use warm water (20°C) and let stand a minimum of 20 minutes after mixing and before drinking. For cold water (5 - 15°C) increase the waiting time after mixing to 40 minutes. If you are using 2% tincture of iodine, use 10 drops (0.5 mL) for every one litre [33.8 fluid ounces] of water. With iodine tablets, follow the manufacturer's directions."
"Note: Pregnant women should not use iodine drops to purify water as it may have an effect on the fetus. Iodine should not be used to disinfect water over long periods of time as prolonged use can cause thyroid problems." 10-07
- Military to Bush: Make a Plan (CBS News)
- "Military officials told President Bush on Sunday that the U.S. needs a national plan to coordinate search and rescue efforts following natural disasters or terrorist attacks."
"CBS’s Mark Knoller reports that the generals issued blunt talk to the president. One called the federal response in New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina 'a train wreck.' He was talking about an incident in which five helicopters responded to rescue one person." 9-05
- Pandemic Flu Checklist for Families (PandemicFlu.com)
- "You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic." 04-09
- Platforms for Disaster Preparation (Business Week)
- " The problem with the future is there are so many of them. In one future, we spent $10 billion on flood control in the Mississippi delta and avoided hundreds of billions in economic losses and thousands of tragic deaths. In another, the Y2K problem remained undetected, and for three months in the early winter of the new century, the U.S. power grid went down unexpectedly, killing thousands."
"We need to cluster important future scenarios into groups sharing related solutions, and in doing so, dilute the risk of choosing poorly." 9-05
- Preparing for Natural Disasters and Terrorism (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- FEMA describes what we should do to prepare ourselves and our families for emergencies. 2-03
- Preparing for Natural Disasters and Terrorism (New York Times)
- "The power grid has collapsed. Supermarkets are looted. With the city teetering on the brink of collapse, the first thing you want to reach for — after the Xanax — is a well-stocked 'bug out' bag." 09-17
- Preparing for Power Plants Going Offline (Star-Telegram.com)
- Provides recommendations for before, during, and after a power outage. 05-22
- Safety During an Earthquake (BPAOnline.org)
- "We contend that 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' indeed SAVED lives, not killed people. Because the research continues to demonstrate that, in the U.S., 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On!' works, the American Red Cross remains behind that recommendation. It is the simplest, reliable, and easiest method to teach people, including children." 07-08
- Selecting a Gun (TheReadyStore.com)
- Provides considerations in selecting a gun for hunting or self-defense. "Each gun has it’s different strengths and weaknesses and the gun you choose should be tailored to your specific needs."
"You might not be able to buy more ammo in an emergency. As a rare commodity, you’d need ammo that would be popular enough to fit in your gun. You’d also need a gun that takes a very popular type of ammunition." 04-13
- Study: U.S. Not Prepared for Disasters (CBS News)
- "A new study indicates that five years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, public health emergency preparedness is still not at an acceptable level in most states." 12-06
- What to Save in an Evacuation (Time.com)
- "Personally, I've come to think that the smartest thing to do is to keep a small bag of recommended provisions, plus a list--which you would make yourself and update every year or so. The list would be short enough so that you could gather everything up in 10 minutes." 10-07
- Why More Men Die in Floods (Time.com)
- "A study of U.S. thunderstorm-related deaths from 1994 to 2000 found that men were more than twice as likely to die than women. Of the 1,442 fatalities, 70% were men, according to research by Thomas Songer at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health. Most of the deaths happened outside the home during flash floods or lightning strikes. That is partly because men are more likely to be outside for their jobs. But men are also more likely to take risks of all kinds — which can be a fatally bad idea in ugly weather."
"Most storm deaths happen the same way: people drown when they try to drive or walk through floodwater. The brain is not very good at assessing the depth and strength of water on a road. Water can hide dips and valleys, making the path look smooth and shallow when it is not. And the brain is even worse at assessing the risk of anything that appears to be familiar or within control — like driving a car in the rain. To add to the general cognitive confusion, flash floods can happen quickly, without any warning at all."
'So what can men (and women) do to override their brain's blind spots? The simplest solution is to stay inside." The article then provides some survival strategies." 06-08
- Why Survivors Survive (CNN News)
- "Gonzales says at least 75 percent of people caught in a catastrophe either freeze or simply wander in a daze."
" 'The first thing people do when something bad happens is to be in denial,' Gonzales says. 'People who make good survivors tend to get through that phase quickly. They accept the evidence of their senses.' "
"Those who seemed best suited for survival -- the strongest or most skilled -- were often the first to die off in life-or-death struggles, he says. Experience and physical strength can lead to carelessness. The Rambo types, a Navy SEAL tells Gonzales, are often the first to go."
"They survive because they're humble, Gonzales says. They know when to rest, when they shouldn't try something beyond their capabilities, when it's wise to be afraid." 09-08
- Wind Turbine and Water Pump - Portable (Marlec)
- Provides a wind turbine and a water pump. Awesome Library provides this listing as an example and does not endorse this product. 9-05
- Disaster Supplies (Ready.gov)
- Lists supplies every family should have ready for a disaster, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or a terrorist attack. 09-06
- Emergency Radios: Solar and Crank (Amazon.com)
- "These little radios are only a few inches high and run off solar or you can turn the little crank handle to charge up. You can keep them handy for an emergency but you don't need to wait for an emergency. Keep the radio in a sunny window and your radio will always be ready."
"I sit it in a window sill and it stays charged and will play radio all day long. It gets better reception than my giant expensive stereo." 12-10
- Face Masks (BAProducts.com)
- "The Air-Aid Mask protects you from noxious odors, chemicals, paint odors, and communicable diseases." Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but provides them as examples. 03-06
- Fire Starter (SoloStove.com)
- "Originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, the Swedish FireSteel fire starter by Light My Fire is a flash of genius. Its 5400°F (3,000°C) spark makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Used by a number of armies around the world, Swedish FireSteel's dependability has already made it a favorite of survival experts, hunters, fishermen, and campers." 08-13
- Flashlight - LED (BAProducts.com)
- Uses 10 LED bulbs for light and can provide light continuously for a month, according to the manufacturers. 6-03
- Flashlight - Solar (BAProducts.com)
- Electricity is generated by a solar panel and stored in batteries in the flashlight. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 12-02
- Flashlight With Radio (ViatekProducts.com)
- Electricity for the Emergency Hand Crank LED Flashlight is generated by a hand crank or built-in AC charging. Costs around $50. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 11-06
- Flashlight Without Batteries (AJPrindle.com)
- Electricity for the Mini Dynamo Crank flashlight is generated by a hand crank. Claims to the the smallest crank-powered flashlight sold. Costs around $15. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 11-06
- Flashlight Without Batteries (BAProducts.com)
- Electricity is generated by a hand crank, batteries, a solar panel, or batteries. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 12-02
- Flashlight Without Batteries (Batteries.com)
- Electricity for the Energizer Weather Ready flashlight is generated by a hand crank. Also can be charged by a car charger but does not include the adapter. For emergencies or disasters. Costs around $20. Awesome Library found the LED light to be strong and the battery held a charge well. 04-08
- Flashlight Without Batteries (HeartlandAmeridca.com)
- Electricity for the Jonta Flashlight is generated by a hand crank and uses a one watt LED. Costs around $70. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 11-06
- Flashlight Without Batteries (WindUpRadio.com)
- Electricity is generated by a hand crank that powers a steel spring. Costs around $40. Thirty seconds of cranking are supposed to give 8 minutes of light. Uses xenon bulb, generally the brightest bulb for a flashlight. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 12-02
- Flashlight and Radio Without Batteries (EmergencyPro.com)
- Electricity is generated by a hand crank. For emergencies or disasters. Costs around $20. Also includes siren and a phone charger. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 11-06
- Flashlight and Radio Without Batteries (HeartlandAmeridca.com)
- Electricity for the Wind N Go UltraBright flashlight and radio is generated by a hand crank. "With 1 minute of winding you will get up to 90 minutes of light, 45 minutes of radio, and 10 minutes of cell phone talk time!" "It may be charged with an AC adapter for up to 20 hours of operation (not included)." Costs around $35. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 11-06
- Flashlights, Radios, and Emergency Supplies (WindUpRadio.com)
- Electricity is generated by a hand crank. Devices cost between $45 and $100. Thirty seconds of cranking are supposed to give 30 minutes of light. Use LED bulbs. Also carry solar powered flashlights and multiple energy source radios with flashlights. Awesome Library does not endorse this product, but provides it as an example. 12-02
- Hand-Crank Flashlight (Target.com)
- "On just a 60-sec. wind, it runs for 1 hr." Costs about $20.00. 02-08
- Hand-Crank or Foot Treadle Power (JLRyan.com)
- The Freecharge Weza is a versatile, robust energy source providing totally dependable power for emergency situations and everyday use in remote applications. Unlike similar power packs, in emergency situations, or when power is not available, the Weza can be energized using only your legs by stepping on the innovative foot treadle. Depending on input effort electrical energy is created at between 25 and 40 Watts." "Provides power to products via a 12 V DC cigarette lighter adapter." "The Weza can also be fully charged from either an AC or DC source when available e.g. wall, car charger or solar (solar option not supplied) accepting 110V to 240V AC and DC from 13V to 21V." Costs $215.
"Amid continuing political challenges, economic hardship and disease, lack of reliable energy remains a primary obstacle to poverty eradication, which is most prevalent in rural areas. However, the transmission and distribution costs of extending grid electricity to dispersed rural communities, where some 2.8 billion people in the world live, are high. De-centralized energy technologies are thus the only immediate and effective solution." 02-08
- Masks - Filter for Emergencies (BAProducts.com)
- "In the case of a biological or poisonous gas attack, the Air-Aid Mask can provide the first line of defense for those of us who don't happen to have a respirator, gas mask, or SCBA airpack immediately available. The Air-Aid Mask can provide a stopgap measure to give you the extra time to exit the contaminated area." These do not replace the need for respirator masks but are claimed to be better than no mask. Respirators are more effective, but bulkier and more expensive. Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Masks - Hood for Smoke Protection (BAProducts.com)
- "The Exitair™ is a pocket sized emergency escape smoke hood. It provides an individual the chance to quickly escape from fire and smoke while allowing freedom to breathe and communicate. In addition to protecting the respiratory system, it protects the hair, eyes, and face from smoke, fire and sparks." Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Masks - Isolation (FirstResponderSupplies.com)
- "The RespAide™ CPR Isolation Mask includes a modular valve component that filters exhaled breath in both directions, providing a superior barrier to cross contamination." Awesome Library does not endorse these products but lists them as examples. 11-02
- Water Purifiers (REI.com)
- Provides water purifiers and filters. Explains the advantages of each. Awesome Library does not endorse these products, but provides them as examples. 03-06