Emergency Management

Get Prepared!

The City of Gladstone wants you to be prepared and safe should disaster strike.  Depending on the circumstances, resources may or may not be readily available.  There may be a delay in response by emergency services, or we may be unable to respond to provide aid to citizens for minutes, hours or days.   Here is where we must work together to make preparedness a community priority.  Your role is to become as self-reliant as possible.  To that end, you should have a minimum of 72 hours of food, water, medications, and other supplies.  Ideally, you will be ready with a minimum of 2-weeks’ worth as well as comfort items for you and your family.  You should be able to shelter in place at home, work, school or in the car.  We have provided a 10 week plan,  you can take at your pace, to help you get prepared.  We have also include links to several preparedness websites for more information.

We are in this together and want the best possible outcomes for all of our citizens.  Preparedness is everyone's responsibility.

 

If you missed our Fire Prevention Class at the Gladstone Community Center use the link below.

 

 

 

Please watch this video to get started on our 10 week challenge. We have posted 10 weekly challenges.  At the end of the challenge you should be well on your way to being prepared in an emergency.  For more information check out the following video.
 

We spend hours of every day preparing – for the day, a big presentation at work, or a family meal. But when was the last time you took steps to prepare your family for a disaster? Taking simple steps, like making a family plan and gathering disaster supplies will help protect you and your family.

We challenge you to be prepared!  Your challenge is to spend 30 minutes per week completing one small task so that by the end of a 10-week period your family will be prepared for any disaster.

Week 1: Create a family emergency communication plan
Week 2: Learn about the Cascadia Subduction Zone
Week 3: Start building your Stay Kit
Week 4: Complete your Stay Kit
Week 5: Build your Go Kit
Week 6: Build your child’s Go Kit
Week 7: Learn to appropriately store water
Week 8: Organize important documents
Week 9: Prepare your pet’s kit
Week 10: The complete pantry

Get READY!  And get PREPARED!

Week 1: Create a Family Communications Plan
 

It took six months for the last child to be reunited with her family following Hurricane Katrina.

It may seem scary to talk to your children about emergencies, or maybe it just never seems like the right time. That’s normal. But thinking and talking through worst-case scenarios can help prevent them from becoming worst-case realities. Ultimately, children will feel safer knowing what to do and understanding that adults are equipped to protect them.

Create a FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN

  • Provide a copy to each of your family members
  • Place one in your emergency kit
  • Put important numbers in your cell phone(s)

Know your neighbors:

Getting to know your neighbors can be helpful in a crisis because, after a disaster occurs, the people in closest proximity to you – and the people who will be able to help you most immediately – are your neighbors.

Emergency alerts:

Purchase a NOAA radio and extra batteries to make sure you receive emergency alerts. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting weather service warnings as well as other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Also, tune to 1660 AM for information/updates about local emergencies.

 

 

Week 2: Learn About the Cascadia Subduction Zone
 

Earthquake shaking can move almost anything, even large or heavy items.  Imagine your home being picked up and shaken sideways...what would be through around?  How can you prevent it?  Watch this video about the Cascadia Subduction Zone put together by the Oregon State University IDEAS Visualization Team.

Week 3: Build a Kit
 

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life. Headed to the store? Download a printable version to take with you. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours but ideally 2-weeks. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

  • Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener for food
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF)

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

  • Prescription medications
  • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
  • Glasses and contact lens solution
  • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Cash or traveler's checks
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Maintaining Your Kit

  • After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:
  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
  • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
  • Replace expired items as needed
  • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

  • Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
  • Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
  • Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

 

Week 4: Forget the Zombies....an Earthquake is Coming!
 

 

This week make sure you have the following items in your stay kit:

  • Garbage bags, plastic ties, and moist towelettes for personal sanitation and two 5 gallon buckets (one for pee and one for poo)

  • Any tools you may need to turn off your water or gas

  • Family activities – games, puzzles, books or other items to make you and your family more comfortable if the electricity is out for an extended period of time.
  • Extra supply of medications – work with your doctor and insurance to see if you can get an extra month’s supply for your kit. If your insurance will not allow the extra purchase your doctor may be able to give you samples.
  • Food, at least a 72-hour supply per person of non-perishable food, but preferably two weeks worth (NOTE: You can build your supply over time. Each trip you take to the grocery store is an opportunity to add a couple cans to your kit. And be sure to put a can opener in your kit.)

 Week 5: Your "Go-Kit"

 

 

Week 5 of the Prepare-A-Thon: Create your Go-Kit

A Go-Kit is a kit of items you can take with you if you need to quickly evacuate. Many people store a Go-Kit in their vehicle as well as in their house. The kit can come in useful if you are stuck somewhere with your vehicle.

This week make sure you have the following items stored in your vehicle or in a place that you can easily grab should you need to evacuate:

  • Extra change of clothing and shoes
  • Hygiene supplies, such as hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
  • 1st aid kit
  • Whistle
  • Flashlight
  • Body warmers; thermal emergency blankets
  • Water; protein bars
  • Commuter Emergency Plan: Make sure you have a plan for traveling between work and home, and other commonly visited locations, in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, list your normal and some alternative routes you can use to get to your destinations. Keep a copy of this plan in your wallet or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.

Next week you’ll learn about creating a Go-Kit for your child.

Week 6: Build Your Kid's "Go-Kit"

 

This week, build your child’s Go-Kit:

  • “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) Contact Card
  • Family photo
  • Protein bar/snack
  • Water
  • Small toy/activity
  • Glow stick
  • Hygiene supplies
  • Socks, gloves
  • Medicine

 

Week 7: Water!

WATER!!!!!!!!!

 

This is the most important item in your emergency kit! 
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day, and add an extra gallon per pet.

Also this week – continue to build up at least a 72-hour supply of food for family members, or be even better prepared with a two week supply. Think about canned food that you would be willing to eat cold. Some good canned food options are tuna, chicken, and baked beans.

Week 8: Protect your critical documents
 

Being ready for a disaster is more than storing water and supplies. You also need to safeguard your finances and important papers.

Important Papers:

This week scan the following documents and save them to a flash drive to keep in your go-kit:

  • Proof of insurance (home, health, and vehicle)
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage records
  • Wills or powers-of-attorney
  • Savings and checking information
  • Credit Card customer service information (if you need to cancel a card but do not have the card it is good to keep in a safe place)

 

What do you know about your insurance?

  • Ask your insurance provider:
    • ​What types of disasters are covered in your plan? Do you have coverage for fires, earthquakes, floods?
  • Create a list of your valuables along with photos for documentation. Focus your energy on high value items and continue working on your list as you find time.

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

Week 9:  Take care of your furry family members during a disaster
 

 

Yes, man’s best friend also needs an emergency supply kit! (Unless you plan on feeding him your canned tuna.)

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets.

What’s the most important emergency item for your pet? A collar with identification!

Other important items to prepare this week: 
A picture of you and your pet together
Pet sanitation supplies (litter, plastic bags)
Any medicines your pet takes regularly
A pet crate and bedding

Information for pet owners

Week 10:  Learn OTSD's guidelines for parents to follow in a crisis
 

Guidelines for parents to follow during a crisis

A school emergency can take many forms: a natural hazard, such as an earthquake or severe weather event; or an intruder in the school. We all hope it never happens, but we steadfastly prepare in case it does.

In a school emergency, the first instinct as a parent is to pick up the telephone and start calling the school or rush up to the school to pick up your child. The truth is, this only complicates matters from a  safety and  security standpoint.  The best action you can take in a school emergency is to stay close to your phone and email, and wait for instructions and updates. 

During the golden hour of an emergency:

  1. We must keep phone lines open for emergency responders. Please do not call the school. You will receive a message from the school as soon as possible.
  2. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phone communication for safety reasons and, in fact, may be asked to silence their cell phones. Do not call your child’s cell phone.
  3. School access routes and entrance areas must remain clear for emergency vehicles. Do not immediately drive to the school.

Emergency Communications:

During emergencies, heavy demand for communication services can quickly exceed the capacity of existing systems, limiting user access or shutting them down entirely. During a natural disaster,  access to, and   functionality of, communication equipment and infrastructure may be limited. With that in mind, the district will attempt to initiate communications through various channels, including but not limited to:

  • School Messenger: text, email, phone
  • Flash Alert Messenger & Newswire
  • District/school websites
  • Social media: Facebook and Twitter, and
  • Reverse 911, if activated by a local emergency response agency

In preparation for an emergency:

Please make sure your child’s school has accurate emergency contact information, including phone and email. Also, be sure to designate who may pick up your child from school in your absence.

Addressing security threats:

 

  • If it is determined that a potentially dangerous situation is outside/near a school, the school will remain locked, the building will be monitored, and students will not be allowed to exit the building until the situation is resolved.
  • If it is determined that a potentially dangerous situation is inside the school, staff will initiate a Run, Hide, Fight response to safeguard students.

School emergency response protocols:

The nature of a school emergency dictates the protocols school officials will initiate as a means to ensure the    safety and well-being of students and staff.

Depending on the emergency, students may be:

  • secured within their classroom or another location within the school building,
  • secured at an outside location on school grounds, or
  • relocated to an off-campus site for reunification with family.

Please note: All parents or designees wishing to pick up students during a family reunification will need to show photo ID.

 

Ready.gov: Be Prepared - It's up to you!

Being prepared to take care of yourself and your family in the event of a natural or man made disaster can make the difference in surviving.  Evaluations of past disasters show us that each and every individual has to take steps to prepare.  It takes time for Federal, State and Local government to assemble and respond to disaster zones with enough supplies and resources to meet all of your needs.  Being prepared is a partnership and we are relying on you to be prepared for a minimum of 72 hours, but ideally two weeks.  This is easier than it sounds.  On this page you will find resources and checklists to help you be prepared.
 

 

Get Involved

Become a member our our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT program educated volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact our area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.  CERT officers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks.  Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.  You can sign up by going to:

http://www.clackamasfire.com/divisions/emergency-management-and-disaster...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important disaster preparedness links:

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