fire@williamsburgva.gov
Phone: 220-6220
Emergency: 911
SPRING STORM TIPS
"Preparation is the essential key for surviving any disaster," explained T. K. "Buz" Weiler, director.
The Williamsburg office suggests the following action plan:
- Prepare a personal disaster plan, including out-of-state contacts to call in the event of a local disaster. If telephones are inoperable, amateur radio operators and Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) operators will be posted in the Williamsburg Emergency Operations Center and available to deliver messages to loved ones outside the disaster area. A good source of information on preparing a personal disaster plan is detailed at the Florida Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross website at http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/educate.html. This site also includes information for disabled individuals and pets during a disaster.
- Prepare or obtain a personal disaster kit, including medicine, food and water. The contents of the kit should sustain a person over a two- to three-day period. Sleep with shoes close by the bed. Buz Weiler explained that many people are unnecessarily injured by cuts to feet caused by glass and debris following a storm.
- Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio with SAME (Specific Area Messaging Encoder) technology. These radios can be set to activate for warnings by the National Weather Service at any hour of the day or night. The broadcasts occur on 162.550 mHz and 162.475 mHz from towers near Norfolk and Richmond respectively. These radios are available from a number of local businesses locally, such as Radio Shack, Lowes, and K-Mart. These radios will also be used to broadcast "Civil Emergency Messages", including messages related to terrorism. More information about Weather Radios may be found at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tulsa/live_nwr.htm.
- Warnings from the National Weather Service are also available by email from http://www.emergencye.com or http://www.ealertusa.com to your pager and/or email address.
- Tune to area television and radio broadcasts for emergency information about severe storms. Citizens should not call 911, except in an emergency, because lightning may cause the death or injury of the person using the phone.
- Persons should have a battery-powered radio or television with spare batteries. There is no "All Clear" announcement, explained Weiler. Any severe weather warning should be taken as an indication there is a problem. Information will be aired on Weather Radios or by local broadcast stations.
- Citizens may find Family Radio Service walkie-talkies useful in communicating with their neighbors. Emergency Management personnel often carry one of these radios and turn them to Channel 9 during a communications outage or disaster. The units are available locally at a number of businesses including Radio Shack, Staples, Wal-Mart, Target and K-Mart.
- Take the time now to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid. The training is available from the American Red Cross.
- Learn the difference between a watch and a warning. Both require action by Citizens, but the actions are markedly different. This important information from the National Weather Service is found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/tornado.htm.
Attribution: The above information was prepared by, and is presented here, courtesy of Chris Floyd, Disaster Services Director, Florida Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Persons desiring more information from the Florida Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross may visit http://www.tallytown.com/redcross/educate.html or call (918) 682-1366. Persons desiring more information about the Williamsburg Office of Emergency Management may call us 757-220-6220.
Other Emergency Preparedness Links:
American Red Cross - Be Prepared
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Ready.Gov
FEMA - Disasters and Emergencies