Be Prepared
Mark A. Stone,
CoS D1SR, USCG Auxiliary
From Mark Stone, retired FDNY, "Ya never know what's gonna happen when you walk out the door!"
BE PREPARED! Take a few simple steps to make sure you and your family are prepared for any event:
• Always have a Go Bag ready. Have a family evacuation/relocation plan. Make sure the whole family knows about it.
• Make sure you have sufficient quantities of all prescription medication. Keep bottled water on hand. The rule of thumb is 3 gallons per person per day.
• Have snow shovels and ice melt readily available.
• Ensure all your vehicles gas tanks are full. Check the rubber on your windshield wipers too. Check vehicle fluids: window washer fluid, antifreeze, etc. Make sure your vehicle's battery is in good shape and able to handle a rough winter. Have the second set of keys handy.
• Keep kitty litter, ice melt, shovel, jumper cables and ice scrapper in your vehicle's trunk in the winter. Keep a blanket as well.
• If you have a gas BBQ grill, make sure you have propane. An extra tank is handy as well.
• Make sure all your electronic devices are fully charged. Cell phones, tablets, computers, hand held games, etc. This will also include devices you may need if you are asked to conduct a CG mission. Radios, hand held GPS, iPads, etc.
• Keep spare batteries available
• Have a battery powered am/fm radio capable of NOAA alerts
• Keep some cash on hand with you. No power = no ATM!
• If you have a generator start it, to ensure it runs smoothly. Put a load on it when testing. NEVER run a generator inside a house or closed space. Always make sure you have proper ventilation. Do not face the exhaust towards the house, especially near windows. Check and start your snow blower if you have one
• Make sure you have enough gas and oil on hand for generators and snow blowers. Please make sure they are in approved containers and stored in Haz-Mat approved lockers for your safety.
• If you heat your home with oil, make sure you have enough.
• Go shopping ahead of the storm. Don't forget snacks for the children. When shopping, think non-perishable items. Keep a supply of canned or dry stored soups, pastas, rice, cereals, etc.
• Have a manual can opener
• Have a large blue tarp available in case of a bad event.
• Always listen to your LOCAL news and weather. Be guided by their advice. Community orders to Shelter in place or evacuate are particularly important.
• If you are using portable heating devices, use with extreme caution. Keep areas well ventilated and follow the directions for use.
• Check on your elderly and infirm neighbors.
• When shoveling snow, go slow. Use your legs, not your back. Stay warm, dress in layers. In very cold weather beware of frostbite. In very cold weather, start your car every few hours.
• If you have pets: Don't leave them outside for extended periods of time. Make sure you have enough food on hand for them. Pets get cold and hungry too.
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Have sufficient supply of pet food and toys
• Flashlights and spare batteries
• Maintain a simple first aid kit
• Have a tool kit handy
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
• Moist towels, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Ensure all your USCG gear is ready to go. This includes uniforms. Check in. Don't be shy about calling your flotilla commander or vice flotilla commander.
• Have your flotilla Telephone Call Chain ready. You don't have to be told to check on the people on the list.
• Watch your phones and email for any alerts from the USCG using the Everbridge system, respond promptly
• In times of emergency or disaster we all like to help. Please don't take independent actions in the name of the Auxiliary. No freelancing!
• Don't forget to keep in touch with family and friends to check on them and to let them know you are ok.
• Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
• Infant formula and diapers
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children
If Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel is in your area, hold on. You are at the worst place to be.
Now that we have your attention, please visit the Incident Management and Preparedness Directorate (Q Directorate) website at https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=q-dept for links to pertinent websites that have additional information on how to prepare to keep you and your families safe.
Some additional links you will find on the IM&P website are:
The official website of the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA preparedness: www.ready.gov
Information on Weather Safety: http://www.weather.gov/safety/
Preparedness resources from American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/prepare
Mark A. Stone, BC-QCP
Division Commander, USCG Auxiliary
CoS D1SR, USCG Auxiliary
From Mark Stone, retired FDNY, "Ya never know what's gonna happen when you walk out the door!"
BE PREPARED! Take a few simple steps to make sure you and your family are prepared for any event:
• Always have a Go Bag ready. Have a family evacuation/relocation plan. Make sure the whole family knows about it.
• Make sure you have sufficient quantities of all prescription medication. Keep bottled water on hand. The rule of thumb is 3 gallons per person per day.
• Have snow shovels and ice melt readily available.
• Ensure all your vehicles gas tanks are full. Check the rubber on your windshield wipers too. Check vehicle fluids: window washer fluid, antifreeze, etc. Make sure your vehicle's battery is in good shape and able to handle a rough winter. Have the second set of keys handy.
• Keep kitty litter, ice melt, shovel, jumper cables and ice scrapper in your vehicle's trunk in the winter. Keep a blanket as well.
• If you have a gas BBQ grill, make sure you have propane. An extra tank is handy as well.
• Make sure all your electronic devices are fully charged. Cell phones, tablets, computers, hand held games, etc. This will also include devices you may need if you are asked to conduct a CG mission. Radios, hand held GPS, iPads, etc.
• Keep spare batteries available
• Have a battery powered am/fm radio capable of NOAA alerts
• Keep some cash on hand with you. No power = no ATM!
• If you have a generator start it, to ensure it runs smoothly. Put a load on it when testing. NEVER run a generator inside a house or closed space. Always make sure you have proper ventilation. Do not face the exhaust towards the house, especially near windows. Check and start your snow blower if you have one
• Make sure you have enough gas and oil on hand for generators and snow blowers. Please make sure they are in approved containers and stored in Haz-Mat approved lockers for your safety.
• If you heat your home with oil, make sure you have enough.
• Go shopping ahead of the storm. Don't forget snacks for the children. When shopping, think non-perishable items. Keep a supply of canned or dry stored soups, pastas, rice, cereals, etc.
• Have a manual can opener
• Have a large blue tarp available in case of a bad event.
• Always listen to your LOCAL news and weather. Be guided by their advice. Community orders to Shelter in place or evacuate are particularly important.
• If you are using portable heating devices, use with extreme caution. Keep areas well ventilated and follow the directions for use.
• Check on your elderly and infirm neighbors.
• When shoveling snow, go slow. Use your legs, not your back. Stay warm, dress in layers. In very cold weather beware of frostbite. In very cold weather, start your car every few hours.
• If you have pets: Don't leave them outside for extended periods of time. Make sure you have enough food on hand for them. Pets get cold and hungry too.
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Have sufficient supply of pet food and toys
• Flashlights and spare batteries
• Maintain a simple first aid kit
• Have a tool kit handy
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
• Moist towels, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Ensure all your USCG gear is ready to go. This includes uniforms. Check in. Don't be shy about calling your flotilla commander or vice flotilla commander.
• Have your flotilla Telephone Call Chain ready. You don't have to be told to check on the people on the list.
• Watch your phones and email for any alerts from the USCG using the Everbridge system, respond promptly
• In times of emergency or disaster we all like to help. Please don't take independent actions in the name of the Auxiliary. No freelancing!
• Don't forget to keep in touch with family and friends to check on them and to let them know you are ok.
• Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
• Infant formula and diapers
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children
If Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel is in your area, hold on. You are at the worst place to be.
Now that we have your attention, please visit the Incident Management and Preparedness Directorate (Q Directorate) website at https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=q-dept for links to pertinent websites that have additional information on how to prepare to keep you and your families safe.
Some additional links you will find on the IM&P website are:
The official website of the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA preparedness: www.ready.gov
Information on Weather Safety: http://www.weather.gov/safety/
Preparedness resources from American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/prepare
Mark A. Stone, BC-QCP
Division Commander, USCG Auxiliary