All Hazards Planning: Shelter in Place
MCAS Futenma is surrounded by in
MCAS
Futenma is surrounded by industry and dense
population. Preparation and knowledge are key
in mitigating the hazards presented by the
local industry.
One
of the instructions you may be given in an
emergency where hazardous materials may have
been released into the atmosphere is to
shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed
at keeping you safe while remaining indoors.
(This is not the same as going to a shelter
in case of a storm.)
Shelter-in-place means selecting a small,
interior room, with few or no windows, and
taking refuge there. It does not mean
sealing off your entire home or office
building. If you are told to
shelter-in-place, follow the instructions
provided by local officials and within this
presentation.
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Chemical, biological, or radiological
contaminants may be released accidentally or
intentionally into the environment. Should
this occur, information will be provided by
local authorities on television, radio and
via the Mass Notification System. Because
information will most likely be provided on
television and radio, it is important to
keep a TV or radio on, even during the
workday. The important thing is for you to
follow instructions of local authorities and
know what to do if they advise you to
shelter-in-place.
This
is
the disaster supply kit.
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Close and lock all windows and exterior
doors.
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If you are told there is danger of
explosion, close the window shades,
blinds, or curtains.
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Turn off all fans, heating and air
conditioning systems, clothes dryers,
and range hoods.
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Get your family disaster supplies kit,
turn on your TV, and make sure your
radio is working.
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Go to an interior room without windows
that's above ground level.
In the case of a chemical threat, an
above-ground location is preferable
because some chemicals are heavier than
air, and may seep into basements even if
the windows are closed. The higher the
better.
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Bring your pets with you, and be sure to
bring additional food and water supplies
for them.
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It is ideal to have a hard-wired
telephone in the room you select. Call
your emergency contact and have the
phone available if you need to report a
life-threatening condition. Cellular
telephone equipment may be overwhelmed
or damaged during an emergency.
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Use duct tape and plastic sheeting
(heavier than food wrap) to seal all
cracks around the door and any vents
into the room.
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Keep listening to your radio or
television until you are told all is
safe or you are told to evacuate. Local
officials may call for evacuation in
specific areas at greatest risk in your
community. Know the Defense Zones aboard
the Air Station.
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Secure your workspace.
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If there are customers, clients, or
visitors in the building, provide for
their safety by asking them to stay –
not leave. Bring everyone into the
designated shelter room (s). Select
interior room (s) above the ground
floor, with the fewest windows or vents.
The room (s) should have adequate space
for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid
overcrowding by selecting several rooms
if necessary. Large storage closets,
utility rooms, pantries, copy and
conference rooms without exterior
windows will work well. Avoid selecting
a room with mechanical equipment like
ventilation blowers or pipes, because
this equipment may not be able to be
sealed from the outdoors.
-
Close and lock all windows, exterior
doors, and any other openings to the
outside.
-
If you are told there is danger of
explosion, close the window shades,
blinds, or curtains.
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Unless there is an imminent threat, ask
employees, customers, clients, and
visitors to call their emergency contact
to let them know where they are and that
they are safe.
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Have employees familiar with your
building’s mechanical systems turn off
all fans, heating and air conditioning
systems. Some systems automatically
provide for exchange of inside air with
outside air – these systems, in
particular, need to be turned off,
sealed, or disabled.
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Gather essential disaster supplies, such
as nonperishable food, bottled water,
battery-powered radios, first aid
supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct
tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic
garbage bags.
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It is ideal to have a hard-wired
telephone in the room (s) you select.
Call emergency contacts and have the
phone available if you need to report a
life-threatening condition. Cellular
telephone equipment may be overwhelmed
or damaged during an emergency.
-
Use duct tape and plastic sheeting
(heavier than food wrap) to seal all
cracks around the door (s) and any vents
into the room.
-
Write down the names of everyone in the
room, and call your designated emergency
contact to report who is in the room
with you (employee, visitor, client,
customer.)
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Keep listening to the radio or
television until you are told all is
safe or you are told to evacuate. Local
officials may call for evacuation in
specific areas at greatest risk in your
community.
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If you are very close to home, your
office, or a public building, go there
immediately and go inside. Follow the
shelter-in place recommendations for the
place you pick described above.
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If you are unable to get to a home or
building quickly and safely, then pull
over to the side of the road. Stop your
vehicle in the safest place possible. If
it is sunny outside, it is preferable to
stop in a shady spot, to avoid being
overheated.
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Turn off the engine.
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Close windows and vents.
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If possible, seal the heating/air
conditioning vents with duct tape.
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Listen to the radio regularly for
updated advice and instructions.
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Stay where you are until you are told it
is safe to get back on the road. Be
aware that some roads may be closed or
traffic detoured.
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Follow the directions of law enforcement
officials.
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Radio &
TV broadcasts are the best source of
information for your particular situation.
Following official instructions during and
after emergencies regarding sheltering,
food, water, and clean up methods is your
safest choice.
Remember that instructions to
shelter-in-place are usually provided for
durations of a few hours, not days or weeks.
There is little danger that the room in
which you are taking shelter will run out of
oxygen and you will suffocate.
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- Building 110, DSN (315) 636-3165
– Disaster Preparedness -http://www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/sip-1.asp
– Planning tools –
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/shelter.shtm
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