About a dozen citizens turned out Monday evening for a public information session on planning for emergencies and disasters.
Representatives of the Ohio Hills chapter of the American Red Cross, the Guernsey County Emergency Management Agency and the regional office of the Ohio Department of Health distributed brochures and discussed steps individuals and families can take in an emergency.
Since 1967, seven presidential, disaster declarations have been issued for Guernsey County, said Ermal Shimp, director of the Guernsey County EMA.
Andy Degenhart, a volunteer with the local chapter the American Red Cross, identified some 20 hazards to which Ohio communities are susceptible.
These hazards range from the damaging lightning and hail of thunderstorms to tornadoes, blizzards, forest fires, landslides, rock falls, mudslides and earthquakes. In addition to natural disasters, such possible hazards as airline crashes, hazardous materials spills, civil disturbances and acts of terrorism could easily occur in Ohio.
Degenhart said it's important for families to develop family disaster plans. Such a plan consists of three components:
Establishing a communication plan;
Establishing a meeting place; and,
Assembling a disaster supplies kit.
Essentially, the communication plan involves choosing a contact person for the family someone whom every member of the family can contact in the event individual family members are separated by a disaster.
It is best if the contact person is a friend or family member who lives outside the community, possibly even out-of-state. In the aftermath of a disaster, it often is easier to call long distance than it is to make local calls, Degenhart said.
In a disaster in which family members are separated, each family member should call the contact person and let that person know where he or she is located. Then, as each family member calls in, he or she can learn where all of the other family members are.
Families also should establish a meeting place, or rather, two meeting places: A place near the home in case of a fire and a place outside the neighborhood in case one cannot return home after a disaster.
Finally, families should prepare disaster supplies kits.
The supply kits should include water (1 gallon daily per person); a supply of nonperishable, packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener; a change of clothing as well as rain gear and sturdy shoes; blankets or sleeping bags; a first-aid kit; a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and extra batteries; credit cards and cash; an extra set of car keys; and special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members, as applicable.