Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Without priorities or disaster guidelines or an emergency preparedness checklist, it is impossible to create goals or a plan. With limited budgets, Emergency or Disaster preparedness purchases must often be prioritized and spread out over time. Our Disaster Preparedness checklist allows you to do just that. The following guidelines were created so schools and businesses could also measure their level of emergency preparedness. Take advantage of our Disaster First Aid Supply Worksheet below to create some realistic numbers for your site.

First Aid supplies and care is the number one priority after any emergency. Food and water can wait, injuries won't. The Disaster First Aid Supply Worksheet is suggested for every 150 persons at your site. After analyzing what injuries you could expect in an emergency, we developed a list of practical first aid supplies in quantities that will allow you to treat the expected number of injured that a large emergency or earthquake may create. Remember, the disaster supplies should match the level of emergency response training of the rescuer. Check out our worksheet below for calculating your first aid supply needs.

Be very cautious of companies trying to sell you First Aid or Emergency kits that contain products that have been out of first aid protocol for over 3 years. The following, is a list of those items: Hydrogen Peroxide, Alcohol, Ammonia Inhalants, Butterfly bandages, Syrup of Ipecac. Here is why. Peroxide increases bacteria growth, damages tissue, slows healing. Alcohol damages tissue. Ammonia Inhalants can cause allergic reactions, difficulty breathing. Butterflies can close in the bacteria to increase the risk of infection. Syrup of Ipecac induces vomiting which can be aspirated into the lungs.

Emergency Stretchers along with first aid supplies complete your disaster first aid preparedness. Stretchers should be a top priority in Disaster Preparedness for schools or businesses. This is one emergency item almost all sites never have enough of. You must have a sufficent number of stretchers to safely and efficiently move victims. Your stretcher should be lightweight, strong, and have the ability to be disinfected between rescues. Our Life Lite Emergency Stretcher is the preferred choice.

Light Urban Search & Rescue Gear- the second problem confronting your staff will be the locating and rescuing of lightly trapped victims in disasters. Our Disaster Survival Skills training teaches them how, our Search and Rescue Gear will allow them to perform quickly and safely. From hard hats and knee pads to pry bars, these are just some of the tools you'll need to succeed in Urban Search & Rescue. Created by professional firefighters, these earthquake rescue supplies are a realistic solution.

Water Storage-is the third concern for emergency preparedness. Water Storage for Families: A family of four would need approximately 28 gals. for 1 week, or 56 gals. for 2 weeks. A minimum of one gallon per person per day for at least seven days, preferably fourteen days for drinking, cooking and hygiene. Store tap water in approved water barrels (airtight) and treat with "Water Preserver" for a long term five year (shelf life) storage.

Schools: To provide each student with 4 oz. of water per waking hours (12 hrs.) for 3 days would require a school with a population of 500 students to store ten 55 gallon barrels of water. If part of the student population left school within the first 24 hours that amount could be reduced. To store quantities large enough for your site, the most economical method is water storage barrels. A 55 gallon water barrel will provide 3 days of minimum drinking water for approximately 48 children. After the initial cost of the barrel, pump, bung wrench and water preserver treatment, your only outlay comes again in 5 years when you will need to dump the water barrel, refill with fresh water and retreat the new water in the barrel with Water Preserver.

When buying a pump to distribute your water there are two considerations. Are you going to distribute the water at the barrel, if so, you need a hand pump that is adjustable between 4 and 8 oz. per stroke. If you are going to pump water into another container to distribute at a different location then you would want a siphon pump. The siphon pump does not work well filling up drinking cups. Most of your water from the barrel will spill.

All water has bacteria in it, unless it has been purified and sterilized. Bacteria grows with heat and light. After a few months the bacteria can reach levels that could make you ill. To insure safe drinking water and to avoid rotation and dumping your water storage every few months, plan on pre-treating with a product called "Water Preserver". This EPA approved treatment will provide you with 5 years storage in approved (air tight) containers. Bleach should only be used as a last resort as a result of poor planning. Bleach is not designed for human consumption. It is a poison and listed as a pesticide by the EPA. It contains mercury and arsenic. It does not provide long term storage capability.

The easiest and safer way to treat questionable drinking water the day of the disaster is to purify with our Water Bottle Filter. This portable filtration system will clean 100 gallons of contaminated water. This bottle will filter lake, pool, stream waters. If no bottle filter, you must either boil at a roll for 5 minutes or use "Water Purification Tablets". They come 50 tablets to a bottle, each tablet will treat 1 quart of water. The tablets have a one year shelf life if the bottle is opened. Unopened they have a 4 year shelf life. Remember these last two methods will only kill bacteria. They will not treat chemicals as in pool water."Water Pouches" are another option. They are purified and sterilized in 4 oz. high-tech packaging, guaranteed a 5 year shelf life. Not practical for large Water Storage needs, but perfect for kits, desks, and autos.

Your number of people___________/150= ___________ Multiplier

Stretchers - for transporting the injured (2) X_____ =_____

Vinyl gloves - protection from body fluids (50 pr) X_____ =_____

Trauma dressings - 5x9-for control of severe bleeding (15) X_____ =_____

Gauze dressings - 4x4– for control of moderate bleeding (100) X_____ =_____

Triangular bandages - for arm slings/pressure dressings (15) X_____ =_____

Gauze roll bandages - 2”- for securing dressings (10 ) X_____ =_____

Band-aids - for small scrapes (100) X_____ =_____

Leg cardboard splints - for broken legs (4) X_____ =_____

Arm cardboard splints - for broken arms (5) X_____ =_____

Bottle of Burn Gel - treat burns (1) X_____ =_____

Ice packs - to reduce swelling from bumps and bruises (5) X_____ =_____

Sterile water packs 4 oz - treating burns/flushing wounds (20) X_____ =_____

Rolls of First Aid tape - securing bandages and dressings (5) X_____ =_____

Rolls of Duct tape - used for triage tags and securing splints (1) X_____ =_____

Emergency thermal blankets - warmth, treat shock (10) X_____ =_____

Paramedic scissors - heavy duty cutting (2) X_____ =_____

Tweezers - removing glass and wood splinters (2) X_____ =_____

Antiseptic wipes - cleansing minor wounds (100) X_____ =_____

Antimicrobial wipes - disinfection of rescuer (100)X_____ =______

First Aid guides - provides treatment measures (2) X_____ =______

1-888-705-2184