ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- There are many types of emergencies. If a disaster occurs, you may be asked by authorities to take one of two different actions: shelter in place (remain in your home or workplace) or evacuate (leave your home or workplace). In either case, it is important to know what your organization's emergency action plan is and what to do in case of an emergency.
The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency provide information you need to make your own emergency action plan.
You may contact the Red Cross at 256-236-0391 or visit their website at www.redcross.org. FEMA's websites at Ready.gov and FEMA.gov have an abundance of information on preparing for a variety of disasters.
No matter what types of disasters are prevalent in your area, it makes good sense to put together some emergency supplies for your home, workplace and car.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following:
• Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation and consider a water purification kit
• Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and include the openers and utensils needed to open it and eat
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit, including emergency medication
• 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, inverter or solar charger
• Trash bags, duct tape, sheets of plastic and disposable gloves
• Fire extinguishers
• Add a shovel, booster cables, fix-a-flat and flares for your car.
How to get information in an emergency
Local radio and television stations will provide information in the event of a major emergency. A NOAA weather radio is a good source of weather-related emergencies and will give sufficient warning in the event you need to shelter-in-place.
In some instances, the Emergency Alert System may be activated. Specific emergency instructions will be broadcast by:
Radio Stations:
WCKA -- AM 810/94.3 FM, WDNG -- AM 1490, WGRW -- 90.7 FM, WTDR -- 92.7 and WVOK -- 97.9 FM;
TV Stations:
WJSU -- ABC 33-40, WBRC -- Fox 6, WVTM -- NBC 13 and WIAT -- CBS 42.
Newspapers:
The Anniston Star will also post information on their website at www.annistonstar.com.
Emergency instructions will provide information on whether to evacuate or shelter in place. If you are ordered to evacuate, the broadcast announcements should advise you on the safest place to go.
For additional weather information, visit the Winter/Severe Weather Awareness web page on the ANAD homepage, ANAD Facebook page or call the SNOW line at 256-235-SNOW (7669).
If your child is at school
Every school has an emergency plan, which includes evacuation destinations.
Write down the address and phone number of your child's school and keep it with other important emergency documents.
Find out what you or a designated person will need to provide in order to pick up your child. In the event of an evacuation, you will be notified by school officials where and when your child can be picked up, so make certain the school has a way of reaching you.
Radio or television stations may also carry instructions.
Finally, make sure your child has identification and phone numbers to reach family or friends.
In the event of destructive weather
Destructive weather and its potential for loss of life, injury and extensive property damage are always a concern. The following tips will help keep you safe:
Tornado: Your organization's emergency plan or standard operating procedures should identify a shelter on the lowest floor and away from windows. Some buildings may have sufficient protection, based on the building structure and type of windows. Make yourself available for accountability and contact your floor/area marshal warden for specific tornado shelter information.
Flood: Avoid moving water. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving.
Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you and stay out of any building surrounded by flood water.
Avoid driving in flood waters. One foot of water can float most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
Contact your floor/area marshal warden for your specific flood procedures.
What not to do in an emergency:
• Do not go to the hospital except in the case of a medical emergency.
• Do not light matches or turn electrical switches on or off if you smell gas. It is safe to use a flashlight or cell phones are safe to use.
• Do not turn off utilities unless told to by emergency authorities or you know there has been damage to gas pipes, water pipes or electrical lines.
• Do not drive your vehicle unless you have been advised to evacuate or you have a medical emergency. Check road conditions and travel restrictions.
• Do not call 9-1-1 except in the case of a life-threatening situation.
Requesting liberal leave
During a disaster or severe weather event, the depot may institute a liberal leave policy.
"Liberal leave" refers to any unscheduled leave federal employees may take in the event extreme weather, or a similar emergency, prevents them from coming to work as usual.
A federal employee taking liberal leave must subtract it from their allotment of accrued leave days, credit hours or compensatory time.
Employees taking liberal, or unscheduled, leave are expected to inform their supervisors of that choice as quickly as possible, normally not later than two hours after the beginning of their scheduled work shift.
Exceptions: Federal employees whose work is deemed essential are designated "emergency employees" and are generally expected to report to work even when an unscheduled leave policy is announced. Telecommuting federal employees scheduled to work on that day are expected to proceed as normal unless the power is down or unless they inform their supervisors of their choice to take unscheduled (liberal) leave.
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