Shelby County Emergency Management Agency
Homeland Security

TERRORISM...How to Prepare

Unlike a natural disaster, there will likely be NO WARNING for a terrorism attack. A Family Disaster Plan is critical and should be in place at all times. Your family's plan should include emergency contacts and a Disaster Supply Kit.

BEFORE an incident:

  1. Be alert and aware of your surroundings
  2. Take precautions when traveling and watch for conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended
  3. Learn where emergency exits are located
  4. Be ready to enact your Family Disaster Plan

DURING...

  1. A Building Explosion - Leave as quickly as possible
  2. If items are falling from above, get under a sturdy table or desk
  3. Fire - stay as low to the floor as possible. Cover nose and mouth with a wet cloth. If door is hot to the touch, do not open it - seek an alternate escape route. Stay below the smoke at all times

AFTER...

  1. If you are trapped in debris - use a flashlight. Cover your mouth with a piece of cloth. Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available, and shout as a last resort (you can inhale dangerous amounts of dust)
  2. Assisting Victims - untrained persons should not attempt to rescue people in a collapsed building. Wait for emergency personnel to arrive
  3. Chemical Agent - authorities will instruct you to either seek shelter and seal the premises or evacuate immediately

How to Shelter-In-Place or Evacuate in the Event of an Emergency

If you are told to Shelter-In-Place in a chemical emergency or other emergency:

  1. Go inside a building. Go to an above ground room, not the basement, with the fewest windows and doors
  2. Take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit with you.
  3. Listen to TV or radio for information
  4. (For minimal protection while you are gathering your family and securing your home), cover mouth and nose with a damp cloth
  5. Close all doors and windows.
  6. Jam the cracks with wet towels.
  7. Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents.
  8. Use plastic garbage bags to cover the windows, outlets, and heat registers
  9. TURN OFF air conditioners, heaters, and fans
  10. DO NOT use fire places.
  11. Extinguish the fire. Close the damper.
  12. DO NOT go to schools to pick up children.
  13. Children will be cared for by school personnel.
  14. STAY in the room and listen to your radio until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate

Keep and maintain a Shelter-In-Place Kit:

  • Bath/Hand Towels
  • Duct Tape
  • Flashlight
  • Radio with Fresh Batteries
  • Non-Perishable Foods
  • Bottled Water
  • First Aid Kit with Scissors
  • Plastic Garbage Bag
  • Prescribed medicines or a list of them

If you are told there is danger of an Explosion:

  • Close the window shades, blinds, or curtains
  • To avoid injury, stay away from the windows

If you are told to Evacuate in a chemical emergency:

  • Gather a change of clothing
  • Baby/dietary needs and medicines (Family Disaster Kit)
  • Don't turn off your refrigerator, but do turn off all other appliances and lights before locking your home as you leave
  • Take one car to the evacuation site
  • Keep car windows closed and locked when traveling
  • Shut off all vents
  • DO NOT use the car air conditioner or heater
  • Lock the car doors
  • DO NOT go to schools to pick up children
  • Children will be cared for by school personnel
  • DO NOT take short cuts, because they could put you in the path of danger - take the route you are told to take
  • Evacuate quickly and stay calm