Shelter-In-Place/Evacuation

Before an emergency strikes, talk with your family about what to do and how to stay in contact during an emergency situation. Setting up a family communication plan and preparing an emergency supply kit can help to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones in the event that an emergency situation occurs. Every emergency is different, therefore, the course of action and precautions you will need to take may vary. Be prepared!

Tune In...

Emergency Broadcast Radio Stations (EBRS)/Local Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a way for citizens to be informed of an emergency or disaster in their area. Messages are broadcase through radio and some cable TV networks. Radio stations that broadcast EAS notifications in New Castle County are:

• WSTW 93.7 FM
• WDEL 1150 AM
• WWTX 1290 AM
• WJBR 99.5 FM
• WQFD 1640 AM
• WILM 1450 AM
• WRDX 92.9 FM
• WTMC 1380 AM

Other communication systems that are available to you are:

• NOAA Weather Alert Radios also carry EAS Messages.
• Comcast Channel 22 for New Castle County, Wilmington, and Newark local government broadcasts.
• Verizon Fios Channel 29 for New Castle County broadcast and Verizon Fios Channel 22 for Newark.
• Mass notification systems; such as reverse 911, text messaging, or siren systems will be used to communicate to appropriate individuals.

Ultilizing these communication systems during an emergency can help keep local residents informed about the nature of an event and what you can do to keep you and your family safe.

A Community Emergency Shelter is a temporary, safe place to stay for individuals and families affected by a disaster. Each community shelter will be able to accommodate the following needs listed below, depending on the incident and the evacuated population.

Initial evacuation for short notice events will be to a local fire station or other community site while a shelter location is assessed and the shelter staff is notified. In the event that you are advised to evacuate, emergency personnel will tell you where these shelters are located. Listed below are different types of facilities that emergency officials may direct you to:

• Registration Centers are a meeting place where all residents are initially sent. The registration center staff will send you to the appropriate shelter after they have determined your needs and recorded contact information. If you are evacuating to a family member’s house or choose not to stay at a shelter, please cooperate to provide contact information.
• Community Shelters are pre-identified, local sites that are inspected to meet the American Red Cross standards, and have a minimum of trained shelter management staff members. Medical staff may be available to provide support with minor medical or health needs. All community shelters are required to have restrooms, as well as the ability to prepare or distribute meals, and may also contain 1 or more of the following components:
• Medical Needs Component – Available to members of the population who have specific medical, physical, or mental conditions that make it difficult for them to utilize a general population shelter. This includes residents who are oxygen-dependent, bedridden, have wounds that need professional care, have contagious conditions, or that require life-sustaining equipment to survive.
• Unattended Children’s Center Component – Available for children who have been found unaccompanied by their guardians. Children will be supervised until they can be reunited with their guardians or until they are properly processed through the procedures for Family Services.
• Companion Animal Component – Available for the evacuation of pets. Pets will be housed, and you will be able to help care for your pet in a controlled environment. In the event of a large evacuation of animals, the animals will be housed at SPCA Shelters before the opening of the companion animal shelters. Residents will be encouraged to make every effort with their local vet/kennel or out-of-town relative to pre-plan for a disaster. Please note that most hotels and motels do not allow animals. Be sure to have a place for your pet to go in an emergency, (i.e. humane society, animal shelter, SPCA, etc.).

What to bring to a Shelter

• Life Sustaining Medications
• Change of Clothes
• Pillow
• Blanket/sleeping bag
• Personal Hygiene Kit

NOT allowed in Community Emergency Shelters

• WEAPONS
• TOBACCO
• ALCOHOL
• ILLEGAL DRUGS

Agencies sponsoring & operating shelters do not take responsibility for lost or stolen items. Keep valuables in a safe location outside of the shelter setting.

Additional Shelter Rules will be communicated, posted, and maintained. For more information go to www.redcross.org.

In the event a hazardous material incident or an emergency situation arises, emergency personnel will instruct the community to remain indoors –“Shelter-In-Place”, or leave the area – Evacuate.

In the majority of hazardous material emergencies, it is best to Shelter-In-Place. As a precautionary action, an evacuation will allow residents to travel away from danger.

Each event will determine specific instructions; the following are general guidelines:

Shelter-In-Place

A sudden emergency involving chemicals, or hazardous materials, may not allow time to evacuate safely. A sudden emergency will force emergency officials to ask you to take immediate action to protect yourselves and Shelter-In-Place, which means protecting yourself where you are and remaining in place until given further instructions or emergency officials give the all clear. If you are asked to shelter-in-place, do the following:

• Remain indoors or in your vehicle until given official notice that it is safe to go outside.
• Plan ahead! Residents should already have access to a battery operated radio, a flashlight, and fresh batteries.
• Remain calm.
• Go inside if you are outdoors.
• Do not call 911 unless you are reporting an immediate, life-threatening situation.
• Be aware of your school or daycare services emergency plan.
• Close all windows and doors. Tape cracks for extra protection.
• Shut off all vents on cooling, heating, ventilating systems, chimney flues, and attic fans.
• Cover cracks under doors with damp towels or masking tape.
• If you have a fireplace, put out the fire and close the damper.
• Move to an interior room or hallway with no openings to the outside.
• Keep pets indoors.
• Listen carefully to a portable radio or television for instructions from emergency officials.
• IF YOU ARE IN A CAR, close windows and vents.
• Do not drive through barricades or off-limit areas.
• Do not come out unless told to do so by radio, TV, news, or emergency officials.

Evacuation

In an emergency situation, emergency officials may ask you to evacuate to protect yourself and your family. Evacuating means leaving the area that is affected by the potential hazard. Sometimes a chemical incident such as a transportation accident on the highway or railroad, could force people from their homes for health and safety reasons. If asked to evacuate, do the following:

• Remain calm!
• If told to evacuate, do so!
• Do not use the phone except to dial 911 in a life-threatening situation.
• Secure your home as you would for a three-day trip.
• Close and lock windows and doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and cooling units.
• Have a Pet Emergency Kit on hand, and bring your pet with you when you leave (*Pet Emergency Kits should include at least a two-week supply of pet food, medications, leashes and collars, and any other supplies your pet may need. Make sure pets are identified with appropriate tags where applicable.*).
• Keep vehicle windows and vents closed while evacuating.
• DO NOT go to your children’s school. They will probably be evacuated by the time you arrive.
• Follow instructions of emergency personnel along evacuation routes.
• Stay tuned to Emergency Broadcast Stations.

Items to Bring:

• Appropriate clothing
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Prescription drugs
• Personal care items
• Baby supplies

Leave contact information with responders directing evacuation: cell phone number, your intended destination, and number of people leaving.

Residents who have special transportation needs should make arrangements with neighbors or inform their local emergency personnel as a means of planning.