Preparing For Emergencies

Disasters can strike anywhere at anytime.  To lessen the severity of a disaster, planning should be undertaken before the event to reduce risks and to help expedite recovery.

We have become complacent with high expectations and the proven record of response agencies.  The fire department always arrives to fight fires and save lives.  The police protect citizens from crime.  During large scale wide spread emergencies involving many persons, response agencies cannot possibly serve all in need. 

Summer 2003 Blackout

 
No government agency, local, state or federal, can respond in an effective manner to emergencies without the cooperation of citizens.  It would be foolish for citizens to relinquish all planning and preparedness activities to governmental agencies.  People need to take control of their personal response to emergencies.  Individuals and families need to be self sustaining for at least 3 days before receiving emergency assistance.

The information provided on this page is to help persons get started in the planning process for emergency preparedness.

 

When a disaster strikes, here is where to obtain local information:

 Radio Stations

WZAM              970 AM                    WNMU              90.1 FM

WCCY            1400 AM                    WJPD               92.3 FM

WMIQ             1450 AM                    WKQS            101.9 FM

WMQT            107.7 FM

Television Stations

            WLUC TV 6               WBKP TV 10             WNMU TV 13

 

Weather Service

            Web site         http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mqt/

 

Newspaper

            Mining Journal           http://www.miningjournal.net/

 

Telephone Hotline (only operational during a declared emergency)

            1-800-227-9668

   

Planning For Emergencies

Every individual and family should have a plan to follow when disaster strikes.  Planning ahead of time can reduce needless suffering.  The following are links to resources to help persons formulate plans.

 http://www.redcross.org/pubs/dspubs/cdelist.html

 http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_601_,00.html

 http://www.ready.gov/

 http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

  http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

 http://www.areyouprepared.com/emergency_guidebook.html#

   

Businesses also need plans to reduce loses and continue operations.

 http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/

 http://www.opm.gov/emergency/

 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/prepared/

Animals have special relationships with people.  Animals have special needs that may not be met during a crisis.

http://www.fema.gov/kids/petkit.htm

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=13061

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/diseasesall/a/emergency.htm

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/animalsafety.html

http://vetgate.ac.uk/browse/cabi/d085e5c32e7f4c8ac13ef665af76ef49.html

   

Persons with special needs require special attention.  Further information can be found on Marquette County Health Department's web site Homepage by clicking on the "Persons with Special Needs" button.

http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=11

Sheltering In Place

In certain instances it may be safer to remain at home or place of business rather than venturing outside.  Sheltering in Place is a strategy that is based on the premise that it is safer inside a building than outside.  The following links explain Sheltering in Place and help plan for securing buildings. 

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/shelterinplace.pdf

 http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/shelteringfacts.asp

 http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/shelterinplace.html