Community Corner

Fairfax County Wants Residents to Be Prepared

Fairfax County's Office of Emergency Management has resources residents need to be prepared for emergencies

With the recent earthquake and the coming hurricane, it seems fitting that National Emergency Preparedness Month, in September, is almost upon us.

David McKerrnan, coordinator for emergency management for Fairfax County’s Office of Emergency Management, said the biggest source of anxiety in emergencies is communication between family members.

“Know what you’re going to do when cell phones don’t work and you can’t communicate with each other,” McKerrnan said. He said this is especially true for families with teens, as they are often not together when an emergency happens.

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McKerrnan said families should have a designated meeting spot, as well as a secondary spot. The Fairfax County OEM also advises residents to have an out-of-area contact. Someone who doesn’t live in the region who may be able to receive and make calls and can help family members check in.

McKerrnan said in a real emergency the county’s first responders will go to areas that are hardest hit first, and residents not in immediate danger or serious conditions may have to wait a few days before assistance from the government is available.

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“We like our citizens to be prepared for up to 72 hours without significant response from government,” he said. “We need folks to make a plan and to get a kit and mostly stay informed.”

It’s also important that neighbors help each other, as many experienced during 2010’s “Snowmageddon,” McKerrnan said. He said many residents in Fairfax County have had emergency preparedness training through programs such as Community Emergency Response Team training.

CERT volunteers have been trained to save themselves and their families, and then help neighbors and others nearby, McKerrnan said. Additionally, residents should have a way to receive communications from local, state and federal government on the status of the emergency, he said.

Fairfax County’s Office of Emergency Management has plenty of information on what to do in case of an emergency should circumstances require it.

According to the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management, a basic emergency kit should include the following:

  • 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

You can also find information on more specific items to prepare for older adults, those who are disabled and pets on the Fairfax County OEM website.

Area residents should also have a plan in place for an emergency. As many experienced during Tuesday’s earthquake phone lines may be jammed, so Fairfax County suggests having an out-of-town contact to communicate with in the case of an emergency and to keep in touch with separated family members. Make sure everyone knows that contact and how to reach them.

The county’s OEM office also says residents should have plans in place for both sheltering in place or evacuating. They suggest having a half tank of gas in your car at all times, and making sure to know where utility hookups are and how to shut them off.

Other considerations are what to do in an emergency at school, at work, for those who live in apartments or high rises or who are in vehicles during the emergency, and how to work with neighbors during an emergency.

Also stay informed about different types of emergency situations and what to do in those cases. Fairfax County has resources on preparation for everything from earthquakes to hurricanes to biological and radiation threats to wildfires.

Fairfax County OEM's emergency preparedness tips for hurricanes:

• have a kit of emergency supplies, including a portable kit in case of the need for evacuation

• know the different hurricane terms—a hurricane warning means a hurricane is expected in the area and you should evacuate if authorities advise it; a hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible and you should be prepared to evacuate

• prepare to secure your property; cover your home’s windows with plywood or hurricane shutters, bring in outdoor furniture, decorations or anything that can’t be tied down, keep trees an shrubs well trimmed

• fill your car’s gas tank in case evacuation is required; be aware of alternate routes in and out of the area

• plan how you will leave if evacuation is necessary; also plan places to meet with family or friends and identify places you could all go in an emergency

• take pets and your emergency supplies with you; be advised that shelters may not allow pets if they are not service animals


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