Sunday, October 28, 2012
Preparing for an Emergency
As Hurricane Sandy comes closer to the Eastern Seaboard with
an expected landfall sometime during Monday evening, my office has gathered
several documents and emergency contact numbers that may be of assistance. The
best way to protect yourself, loved ones and your property is to plan for an
emergency before one strikes.
All households should have a contact list of emergency
numbers posted next to a working phone. In case of a power outage, most
cordless phones may be unresponsive so it is advisable to keep a backup phone
with a cord in a close and safe place. While emergency calls should be directed
through 911 it is a good idea to keep other numbers in an accessible location.
Some numbers to be placed on that list include your local non-emergency numbers
for the police and fire departments, nearest hospital, town hall, and your
electricity and gas provider’s area telephone number. National Grid’s emergency
number is 1-800-465-1212. Comcast can be reached at 1-800-266-2278 and
Verizon’s help service line is 1-888-553-1555.
Marine related emergencies may require contacting the U.S.
Coast Guard. The best number to contact Coast Guard Station Gloucester is (978)
283-0705 and Station Merrimac River is (978) 462-3428. You can also call Sector
Boston’s emergency line at (617) 223-5750. Boaters on the water and in need of
immediate assistance can radio through a “Mayday” distress message. It is best
to either use MF 2182 kHz or marine VHF-FM radio channel 16 (156.8 MHz) because
these channels have been designated for emergencies and are closely monitored
by the Coast Guard.
Other important precautions to take before a storm include;
• Bringing in all lawn furniture, decorations, and other
objects that can be projected through the air that could cause harm to property
and personal safety.
• Properly anchor all storage sheds to the ground and lock
all doors to prevent contents from damage.
• Locking all doors and windows to ensure that they are
closed tight to help protect against strong winds and rain.
• Learning where gas pilots and water mains are located and
how to safely shut off all utilities.
• Keeping an amount of money on hand just in case there is a
power outage and ATM’s are unable to operate.
• Elevating property in basement that might be susceptible
to minor flooding.
• Clearing clogged rain gutters to prevent property from
flooding.
• Knowing your community’s emergency shelter locations if an
evacuation becomes necessary.
• Having a plan for all family pets in case an emergency
shelter does not allow their presence.
Below are several documents produced from several state and
federal agencies that might be of help to you. The documents include a family
communications plan, a disaster preparedness kit checklist, the National
Weather Radio stations listings in Massachusetts, tips for people with
disabilities requiring additional assistance, tips for business owners, and a family
pet disaster preparedness plan. If my office can assist you in anyway, please
do not hesitate to call at (617)722-1600.
Disaster Preparedness Kit Checklist
Family Communications Plan
MEMA Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Disaster Preparedness for Pets
MEMA Business Owners Guide
National Grid Helpful Tips
People With Disabilties Requiring Additional Assistance
National Weather Radio Station Listings for Massachusetts
