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Elkhorn
Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee
Antelope, Madison, Pierce,
Stanton & Wayne Counties of Nebraska
Public Response to a Terrorist Incident
ABOVE ALL ELSE, REMAIN CALM. There are many federal, local and Nebraska agencies that have planned for safely handling just such an incident. You will get instructions from emergency and medical officials regarding where and when to get anti-toxins or otherwise how to deal with the chemical or biological agent in plenty of time for your safety. Fight the impulse to panic this will only increase your exposure to the chemical or biological agent and hurt community efforts to help others.
Most chemical or biological agents will be airborne. So immediately try to get inside. Don't run to your car and drive 5 miles to your house, this just increases your exposure to any chemical or biological agent. Immediately get inside and follow the "shelter-in-place" material that follows, unless you are told to evacuate by emergency response officials.
Listen to your television or radio or tune into the Emergency Alert System on NOAA Weather Radio at 162.55 MHZ, KNEN 94.7 FM, KEXL 106.7 FM, KUSO 92.5 FM, WJAG 780 AM or watch for interrupts on CableOne cable TV for information or guidance. They will have emergency and medical officials that will instruct you on what to do. There are so many different kinds or chemical or biological agents that might be used, it is impossible to lay out rules here. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU HEAR! DON'T TRY TO SECOND GUESS THE INSTRUCTIONS FROM EMERGENCY AND MEDICAL OFFICIALS, the odds are good that you will guess wrong and only increase your exposure to the chemical or biological agent.
Evacuate immediately if told to do so by local emergency officials
If you are told by emergency response officials to evacuate your home or business, do so immediately.
- Wear sturdy or protective clothing
- Take your Disaster Supplies Kit
- Lock your home.
- Roll up all windows in the car or truck and close all vents.
- Turn you ventilation system off in the car or truck - do not use the heater or the air conditioner.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities - don't use
shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
- If time permits, shut off utilities if instructed to do so and make
arrangements for pets.
Shelter-in-place if told to do so by local emergency officials
If you are told by emergency response officials to shelter-in-place in your home or business, do so immediately.
- Close all doors to the outside and close and lock all windows
(windows sometimes seal better when locked).
- Set all building ventilation systems to 100% recirculation. When this
is not possible, ventilation systems should be turned off.
- Turn off all heating systems.
- Turn off all air-conditioners and switch inlets to the
"closed" position. Seal any gaps around window type air-conditioners with tape
and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum wrap.
- Turn off all exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces.
- Close all fireplace dampers.
- Close as many internal doors as possible in your home or other
building.
- Use tape and plastic wrapping, wax paper, or aluminum wrap to cover
and seal bathroom exhaust fan grilles, range vents, dryer vents, and other openings to the
outside to the extent possible (including any obvious gaps around external windows and
doors.).
- If you are instructed that the chemical is soluble or even partially soluble in water --
hold a wet cloth or handkerchief over your nose and mouth if the chemical starts to bother
you. For a higher degree of protection, go into the bathroom, close the door, and turn on
the shower in a strong spray to "wash" the air. Seal any openings to the outside
of the bathroom. Don't worry about running out of air to breathe. That is highly unlikely
in normal homes and buildings.
- If an explosion is possible outdoors -- close drapes, curtains, and
shades over windows. Stay away from external window to prevent potential injury from
flying glass.
- If you are told that the agent is lighter than air, you want to go to the lowest level in your shelter and try to stay there. On the other hand, if the agent is heavier than air you want to avoid these lowest levels.
- Minimize the use of elevators in buildings. They tend to
"pump" outdoor air in and out of a building as they travel up and down.
- Stay tuned to the the radio or television or Emergency Alert System on NOAA Weather Radio 162.55 MHZ, KNEN 94.7 FM, KEXL 106.7 FM, KUSO 92.5 FM, WJAG 780 AM or watch for interrupts on CableOne cable TV for further information or guidance.
Remember to....
- Confine or secure your pets.
- Call your family contact - do not use the telephone again unless it
is a life-threatening emergency.
- Make sure you have an adequate water supply.
- Follow good food safety practice if power
has been disconnected for over two hours.
- Don't go outside unless instructed to - - No Hero's.
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