User:TanmoyKonar/sandbox

A disaster preparedness plan of a family of three
Tanmoy Konar

Overview: ''Disaster is natural or man-made abnormal conditions which adversely affect the livelihood of a community. Proper preparedness can reduce the impact of a disaster and can reduce suffering and loss of human life during a disaster. This preparedness should be undertaken at every level of society. Whether many steps have been taken at international, national and local government levels over the last few decades, most of the people have no idea about disaster preparedness at the family level. However, family level preparedness can play a very important role to shape the overall response of a community or a nation to a disaster. It not only reduces the variability of the members of a well-prepared family but also eases pressure on the macro-level response machinery. This article illustrates how a family may prepare themselves for a disaster. It gives useful information and guidance in this regard.''

 Personal background information 

Description of family members

My family has four members. The age and the unique needs or considerations of my family members are given below.

 Pets 

We don't have any pets.

 Geographic location 

We stay on the third floor of a 4-storied building in Hastings, Kolkata, India. Our residence is very close to the river Hoogly. It is adjacent to one of the Artillery roads of the city. The nearest landmark is the local Public Works Department office.

 Types of expected disasters 

 The disasters that are most likely to occur in my area 

1.	Cyclone 2.	Earthquake 3.	Flood 4.	Epidemic 5.	Fire 6.	Terrorist activity

'' How will the type of disaster impact your preparation? ''

Our city is located in one of the most cyclone-prone areas in India. In the event of a cyclone, we may have to take shelter at home or may have to move to cyclone shelters depending upon the level of warning issued by the Government. After a cyclone, it may take two to three days for the supply chain to become normal. Hence, we store foods and medicine for at least a week. Luckily, nowadays we get warning of cyclones very early and had got a few days to check and collect the essential items. As trees may fall and live electrical wire may fall on the road, we strictly avoid traveling during a cyclone.

Home Preparedness and Jump Kit Checklists

Home Preparedness Checklists

a. Food – Supplies for one week for 3 persons at approximately 2400 calories per day; mostly comprised of dry food and packaged food with a low-moderate amount of sodium content.

b. Medical Supplies – Bandages; medicine (prescribed for each family member and as-needed antibiotics); bacitracin; suture kits; splint kits; saline.

c. Miscellaneous Supplies – Batteries (all varieties); tape; candles; matchboxes; hand-radios; duct tape; large weather-proof plastic for doors/windows; window-ladders; fire-extinguishers; 10 flashlights.

d. Water – Water supplies for 3 persons at 3 liters per day; water purification tablets; bleaching powder.

e. Firearms/Edged Tools - Shotgun; handgun; reloading supplies; ammunition; cleaning supplies; sharpening supplies; axe; knife with a full tang. f. Sanitation– 1 per person; portable shower; dry shampoo; antiseptic body wash; hazardous waste bags and shovel to bury waste.

g. Important Records: Insurance policies and titles to all vehicles, houses, apartments; copies of birth certificates and social security cards; health insurance card copies; contact list (names, addresses, phone numbers) of important individuals involved in evacuation plans; cash (about Rs. 5000/person).

Jump Kit Checklists

a. Food – Non-perishable dry and canned food; easy-to-prepare snacks, and meals for at least 3 days.

b. Medical Supplies - First aid kit; medications for at least 7 days including as needed antibiotics.

c. Miscellaneous Supplies – Duct Tape; water-proof matches or flint; flashlight with extra batteries; aforementioned weather-proof hand crank/solar power radio with additional features (NOAA weather radio); cell-phone with portable charger; compass with print outs of maps marked with evacuation plans; emergency blanket; change of clothing; hat; can opener.

d. Water – Water supplies for 3 persons at 3 liters per day; water purification tablets.

e. Important Record – Insurance policies and titles to all vehicles, houses, apartments; copies of birth certificates and social security cards; health insurance card copies; cash (about Rs. 5000/person).

f. Firearms/Edged Tools – Handgun with small amount of ammunition; 1 knife with full tang; multi-purpose tool.

Contingency Plans

Plans for leaving my job

Since I am working in the non-essential service sector, it would not be very difficult for me to leave my workplace with permission for my superior officers in case of any emergency. Plans for meeting family members including a local meeting place and an out of town meeting place One of my closest friends leaves in my locality. My family may move to his house and I may meet with them there. An out of town meeting place will be my father’s house which is about 2 hours away from my city.

 Escape Routes or Transportation Plan 

Specific concerns based on the type of disaster

Cyclone is the most common disaster in my locality. As trees may fall and live electrical wire may fall on the road during a cyclone, we strictly avoid traveling during a cyclone. We have to wait for the cyclone to stop. Even after the cyclone, the roads normally get blocked by the fallen trees which make movement of cars almost impossible. Hence, motorbike is preferred over cars.

Emergency Communication Plan

Plan for communication within family

a) Each family member has their own cellular device.

b) If a disaster is declared, I would send both a text message and e-mail notifying my family to begin the disaster plan and meet at the designated primary spot. We would utilize text messages on every hour mark to determine each other’s location.

c) I would have my family bookmark crucial links of the Government’s disaster-related web site.

Communication plan with authorities

a) To receive messages from authorities in the area I would use a radio with extra batteries.

b) Regular visit Government websites.

c) If cell phones or other wireless devices do not work, we would rely on the wired landline phone at my father’s house.

Maintenance Approach

My family will hold ‘Monthly Preparedness Meetings’ on the 1st Saturday of every month. We will cross-check all the arrangements during the meeting. If any Government warning of a cyclone is received, all the arrangements will be verified again.

References

Government of West Bengal website- wb.gov.in

National Disaster Management Authority of India website – ndma.gov.in

India Meteorological Department website – mausam.imd.gov.in