7. Handling a Disaster - The First Hour

When a disaster happens, this section of the Handbook provides the specific instructions for what to do in the period immediately after, or during, the disaster.

7.1. Remember, YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST.

Collect your emergency kit, safety gear, etc. THINK. Then act. Refer to your personal list of emergency supplies in section 12.

7.2. Secure yourself, your family and your home.

Your personal and family safety is your primary concern. Secure your own situation now. Refer to your personal list of emergency supplies in section 12.

7.3. Contact central disaster communications center.

Report in to the communications center. Inform them of your status, so that they know you are on the job and the neighborhood is being covered.

7.4. Survey special needs residents for neighborhood according to your prepared plan.

7.4.1. Rescue anyone who is trapped or seriously injured (within your capability) or request assistance from the communications center.

7.5. Finish survey of entire neighborhood according to your prepared plan and report emergencies.

The primary focus of a Captain's activities during a disaster are the health and safety of the neighborhood residents, including people who may be visiting at the time. An initial survey of the entire neighborhood should be performed, with the main goal of finding any people who are seriously injured, and identifying and securing any safety hazards which could cause serious injury.

Depending on the nature and severity of the disaster, the techniques for performing this survey may be quite different. A severe earthquake may be expected to cause serious injuries, while an approaching wildfire only represents a serious hazard until it arrives. In any case, the focus of the Captain is on immediate health and safety, identifying all such situations within the neighborhood, securing hazards where possible, and reporting the neighborhood situation and needs as quickly as possible to the communications center.

In a severe disaster, where many human injuries might be expected, you should attempt to record the identity of each person as you encounter them. In particular, check off on your neighborhood list the presence of each resident as you see them. Refer to your prepared plan ins section 12.4.

7.5.1. Complete the following items on the checklist as they are needed:

___Shut off all neighborhood gas meters (If Leaking).

___Shut off all neighborhood electricity at individual home circuit breakers (If there is a danger).

___Rope off downed electrical lines and guard them as needed.

___Shut off all neighborhood water lines at the house valve if water service has been lost, or there is a leak in the system. This is necessary to protect the water supplies in the water heaters and toilet tanks.

___Rope off all other structure and area hazards.

___Remove anything that may be blocking the street and preventing emergency vehicles from passing through. Do not try to remove any electrical lines.

7.5.2. Search each home in your neighborhood to determine the well-being of your neighbors.

7.5.3. Following the basic guidelines, conduct a systematic search of all homes that display the "HELP" side of the communications card. Remember: YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST.

7.5.4. Check on the status of all homes who do not display a sign. They might be trapped or injured and unable to place the communications card in the window.

7.6. Perform initial damage assessment.

When health and safety needs are handled, a survey of the neighborhood to assess damage, and livability of the various residences, is needed. Accurate and timely information is crucial to enable the region to apply its own limited resources to the most critical needs, and to obtain resources from outside the region.

Perform the initial damage assessment according to your plan in section 12.4. Fill out the PDA (Preliminary Damage Assessment) forms to collect this information for relay to the disaster team.

7.7. Report to disaster communications center.

Your initial report should be made within an hour of the start of a disaster if at all possible. Keep the communications center informed of your progress and location!

7.7.1. Report the number of injured to the Communications Committee. They will coordinate with the First Aid Center to make sure everyone needing help gets it.

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