Emergency Preparedness

“To be prepared is half the victory”… wise words from Miguel De Cervantes that help shape the Cape Cod Broadcasting commitment to community. From the risk of volatile weather in any season, to environmental and security threats that are real possibilities as part of the world in which we now live, being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best is always a responsible way to approach daily life. Below you’ll find helpful hints to protect and prepare your home or business, family safety tips… even State-prepared Cape Cod evacuation plans for use should a catastrophic event ever occur here. While hoping you never need to use it, Cape Cod Broadcasting applauds your preparedness and we hope you find this information useful!

External Resources:

> Barnstable County Regional Shelters [bcrepc.org]
> Pet Safety [redcross.org] 
> Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes [redcross.org] 
> Prepare Your Home and Family [redcross.org]
> Storm Links from NSTAR [nstar.com]
> Important Winter Storm Info [noaa.gov PDF]

> Cape Cod Traffic Plan – [mass.gov]
> Cape Cod Commission’s Emergency Preparedness Handbook [capecodcommission.org Download PDF]


The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

MEMA OFFERS PREPARING FOR WINTER WEATHER

Tips to Help Keep Massachusetts Families Safe

A winter storm in New England can range from a moderate snowfall over a few hours to a chilling Nor’easter, bringing blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. People can become stranded in their automobiles or trapped at home, without utilities or other services.  The aftermath of a winter storm can have an impact on a community or the entire region for days, weeks or even months.  Storm effects, in New England, include large snow accumulation, extremely cold temperatures, heavy, wet snow or icing on trees and powerlines, roof collapses, coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Winter storms are also deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the actual storm.  The major causes are automobile or other transportation accidents, exhaustion and heart attacks caused by overexertion, ‘freezing to death’ and asphyxiation from improper heating sources.  House fires occur more frequently in the winter due to lack of proper safety precautions when using alternate heating sources, like unattended fires and space heaters.

“As with most potential disasters, preparedness, monitoring the Media and common sense can minimize the danger to you and your family,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz.

WINTER EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

– Flashlight and extra batteries
– Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
– Charged cell phone
– First-aid kit
– Essential prescription medicines
– Non-perishable Food
– Manual can opener
– Water (one gallon per person/per day)
– Baby items
– Extra blankets and sleeping bags
– Fire extinguisher

FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Develop a ‘Family Emergency Communication Plan’ in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), and have a plan for getting back together.

– Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the ‘family contact’.  After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than across town. Also, calling outside the area will probably be easier than calling into a disaster area.
– Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.
– Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town.  Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.

BE INFORMED

Become aware of your community’s Emergency Plans, available through your local Emergency Management Director.

– Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and your workplace.
– Be aware of the location of your community’s emergency notification systems, potential emergency shelters and possible evacuation routes.

 

NOTE: In case of an emergency the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the State Police, the Governor, or the National Weather Service can active the Emergency Alert System. Cape Cod’s designated primary regional recipient of this EAS is WQRC 99.9 FM. Other Cape stations monitor WQRC for these emergency broadcasts and then rebroadcast the information. **WBZ 1030 AM is the state alternate primary regional recipient of the Emergency Alert System.

 

MEMA’S WINTER PREPAREDNESS STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE THE STORM
Protecting Your Family and Home

“Before snow, ice and severe winter weather hit the region, it is important that you take the proper steps to ensure the safety of your family and home,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Kurt Schwartz.

Here are some examples of how to protect your property:

– Understand the winter terminology used by weather forecasters:
–1. Winter Storm Watch – Be alert, a storm is likely.
–2. Winter Storm Warning – Take action, the storm is in or entering the area.
–3. Blizzard Warning – Snow and strong winds combined will produce blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.  Seek refuge immediately.
–4. Winter Weather Advisory – Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists.
–5. Frost/Freeze Warning – Below freezing temperatures are expected and may cause damage to plants, crops or fruit trees.

Back to Storm Center



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