Get a Kit! Make a Plan!

A disaster can strike quickly and without warning, causing you to evacuate your home or forcing you to take shelter in your home. If a disaster strikes, basic services may not be available. By developing a Family Emergency Plan, getting through an emergency situation can be much easier.

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Family Emergency Plan

It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.

You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone (and/cell phone) system may be down altogether, but be patient.

Emergency Information

Getting information during an emergency is vital, especially if evacuation may be required. In the event of a County declared emergency, information will be provided through as many different formats as possible. The County will provide information through the following venues:

The Code Red® Emergency Notification System utilizes a high speed telephone calling system capable of delivering customized pre-recorded messages directly to homes and businesses at the rate of up to 60,000 calls per hour. Citizens can ensure that their phones are registered, add new phones, and/or change their information through the county website at: http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/emergencycodered.asp .

Listen to the following radio stations:
WYRX 97.7 FM     WKIK 102.9 FM
WSMD 98.3 FM     WTOP 103.5 FM
WRAR 105.5 FM   WPTX 1690 AM
WGRQ 95.9 FM     WGOP 540 AM
WPRS 104.1 FM    WKIK 1560 AM
WNNT 100.9 FM

Check the county website:www.co.saint-marys.md.us
Watch County cable Channel 95
Watch the Weather Channel on Ch. 40 for local information

During county declared emergencies
Call the Emergency Information Hotline at 301-475-4911.

For additional information about emergency preparedness call The Department of Public Safety at 301-475-4200 Option 6 then Option 3. If you have a true emergency and need assistance call 9-1-1

Emergency Plans

You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov 
• 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
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children