Ready for Anything: A Disaster Planning Manual for Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs
What supplies and resources do I need?
Adequate disaster planning requires that you stockpile supplies for emergencies that require either an extended period of sheltering in place or an evacuation. While this manual has already discussed the importance of supplies such as fire extinguishers and emergency lighting, your emergency stockpile requires much more—medical supplies, food and water, and other critical resources that can help you cope with a disaster and its aftermath.
Emergency Supply Storage
Keep all of your emergency supplies in one central location—preferably your facility’s safe room. The location should be easy to access, but it should also be locked so that supplies won’t be tampered with. On-duty staff (especially the emergency manager) should be able to access the supplies at all times.
Emergency Supply Checklist
What supplies are essential for your emergency stockpile? Here’s a list of items that many disaster experts consider essential:
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WATER: At least a 3-day supply per person. Each person should have access to a gallon of water a day (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation). For instance, if your facility has room for 10 youth and typically has 2 staff people on site, you should store 36 gallons of water (3 days x 12 people). Double that number if your facility is in a very hot climate.
Store water in clean, sealed plastic containers. Date stored water and replace it every 6 months. You can track your water replacement schedule on the maintenance log (Appendix B).
| While it’s true that much of the food and water you store with your emergency supplies will still be good after 6 months, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. By replacing your food and water supplies regularly, you ensure that what you have will be usable when you need it. But don’t throw old food and water out! Use it! |
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FOOD: Again, at least a 3-day supply per person. Focus on keeping canned food, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, or extensive preparation. Avoid salty foods that make people thirsty!
Some good food choices for your emergency stockpile include:
- ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- protein or fruit bars
- dry cereal or granola
- peanut butter
- dried fruit
- nuts
- crackers
- canned juices
- nonperishable pasteurized milk
- comfort foods (chocolate, candy, cookies)
Keep in mind special dietary requirements. If, for example, your facility houses young mothers and their infant children, you will need to stockpile infant formula.
Date stored food and replace it every 6 months. You can track your food replacement schedule on the maintenance log (Appendix B). |
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MANUAL CAN OPENER: You might also consider including a utility knife (such as a Swiss army knife) with your supplies. |
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MESS KITS: Enough plastic plates, cups, and utensils and paper towels for your entire population to use. Store plastic plates and cups instead of paper ones so that you can reuse them. |
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BATTERY-POWERED OR HAND-CRANK FLASHLIGHTS: You should already have enough on hand so that every sleeping room, office, and common room has its own flashlight. In addition, keep at least two or three flashlights with your emergency supplies. Check the batteries once a month and track these monthly checks on the maintenance log (Appendix B). |
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BATTERY-POWERED OR HAND-CRANK RADIO: Stay abreast of updates on regional disasters, especially during shelter-in-place scenarios, when electricity or television services may be disrupted. Consider getting a NOAA (that’s the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio with tone alert. If your radio is battery powered, check the batteries monthly. Track those checks on the maintenance log (Appendix B). |
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EXTRA BATTERIES: It’s impossible to have too many. Be sure that you have extras of every battery type you use. |
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WHISTLE: Whistles make excellent signaling devices, especially during situations in which you need to assemble everyone quickly. Your stockpile of emergency supplies should include several. Also include one in each youth’s and staff person’s Go-Bag (see Go-Bags, page 23). |
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MATCHES: Strike-anywhere matches are ideal. Make sure they are stored in a water-proof container. |
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SANITATION AND HYGIENE ITEMS: Stockpile several rolls of toilet paper, packs of sanitized hand wipes, and feminine hygiene products. If young babies are present, include diapers as well. |
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DUST MASKS: To help filter contaminated air, dust masks should be available for each person in your facility. They need to be replaced after they’re used. |
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PLASTIC SHEETING, DUCT TAPE, TOWELS: For shelter-in-place scenarios, these items can help you further seal off a safe room. Plastic sheeting and duct tape can be used to secure cracks in or around windows, while towels are excellent for stuffing into the space beneath doors. Dampening towels can provide additional protection against fires. |
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BLANKETS OR SLEEPING BAGS: Have enough on hand for each person in your facility, both for sleeping and for keeping warm in the event of cold-weather emergencies. |
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HOUSEHOLD CHLORINE BLEACH, MEDICINE DROPPER: Mix nine parts water and one part chlorine bleach to make an effective disinfectant. You can also use bleach to treat water by adding 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches, or bleaches with added cleaners. |
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PAPER AND PENCILS: You never know when you’ll need to write something down. |
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WRENCH OR PLIERS: These are often necessary to turn off utilities (gas, water). |
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MAPS: Have both local and regional maps on hand. Mark key locations (evacuation sites, drug stores, hospitals) and evacuation routes on all local maps. |
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NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS: Keep a supply of nonprescription drugs that includes the following:
- aspirin or aspirin-free pain reliever
- antidiarrhea medication
- antacid
- syrup of ipecac (for inducing vomiting)
- laxative
- activated charcoal
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FIRST AID KIT: Keep at least one well-stocked first aid kit with your emergency supplies. It should be stored in an obvious, easy-to-reach location. A well-stocked first aid kit will include, at a minimum, the following:
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets m 1 blanket (space blanket)
- 1 breathing barrier (with 1-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pairs of latex-free gloves (size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
- scissors
- 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- oral thermometer (mercury- and glass-free)
- 2 triangular bandages
- tweezers
- first aid instruction booklet
Preassembled first aid kits can be purchased from the Red Cross or most drug stores.
Any time you use supplies from the first aid kit, replace them without delay. Schedule a regular check (at least once every 3 months) of the first aid kit to ensure that it is complete and ready to use. You can track these checks on the maintenance log (Appendix B). |
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AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (OPTIONAL): An automated external defibrillator, or AED, is a device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm for abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, can help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own. About 200,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Up to a quarter of those deaths could have been prevented had an AED been on hand.
Ideally, your facility will have at least one AED. However, they are expensive—a single unit can cost well over $2,000. |
Portability
In a local or regional evacuation, you may want to bring most of your emergency supplies with you. Therefore, you need to consider portability. Ideally, keep a stockpile of backpacks (large fixed-frame hiking packs work well) or large duffel bags that will allow you to quickly and efficiently transport most, if not all, of your emergency supplies during an evacuation.
For added efficiency, consider keeping the backpacks or duffel bags preloaded with the bulk of your supplies so that they are ready to go in the event of a rapid evacuation.
Go-Bags
In addition to your stockpile of emergency supplies for the whole facility, you will want to prepare individual emergency bags (called Go-Bags) for use in an evacuation. Go-Bags allow individuals, both youth and staff, to carry with them important records and other personal supplies. A Go-Bag can be anything easily carried by one person—fanny packs, for example, work very well.
Go-Bags for Youth
Creating a Go-Bag for each youth entering your facility should be an essential part of your intake process. Each youth’s Go-Bag should include the following:
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HEALTH INFORMATION CARD: A personalized summary of all pertinent health information, including medications, allergies, medical providers, emergency contacts, special needs, and other relevant information. Young parents should have copies of their children’s health insurance cards, immunization histories, and other medical records. |
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COPIES OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS: These include copies of a social security card, identification (driver’s license, State identity card), consents or waivers, and other personal documents that you might have on file. Young parents should have copies of their children’s birth certificates and other pertinent documents. |
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PRESCRIPTIONS: A 3-day supply of prescription medicine as well as copies of existing prescriptions. |
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KEYRING FLASHLIGHT: Be sure to regularly check all batteries. |
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SIGNALING DEVICE: A whistle, bell, or other personal signaling device. |
Store youths’ Go-Bags with your other emergency supplies; due to the sensitive nature of their contents, Go-Bags should be secured in a locking container or closet to which only staff have access. When one youth leaves your facility, empty his or her Go-Bag and reassign it to the next youth who arrives.
Go-Bag for Staff
You only need to have one Go-Bag for your staff. In the event of an evacuation, it should be carried by the emergency manager. The Go-Bag should contain the following:
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YOUTH ROSTER: A current list of your youth population, listing full name, emergency contact information, and special needs. You can use this list to take attendance in the event of a building evacuation. |
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STAFF CONTACT LIST: A current list of your entire staff, listing name, title, address, and emergency contact number. |
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IMPORTANT NUMBERS LIST: A current list of phone numbers and addresses of nearby Red Cross Shelters, hospitals, and urgent care centers. |
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KEYRING FLASHLIGHT: Be sure to regularly check all batteries. |
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SIGNALING DEVICE: A whistle, bell, or other personal signaling device. |
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PETTY CASH: At least $250.00 to cover emergency costs in the event of evacuation. If your facility has a credit card, an extra card should be included in the Go-Bag. Be sure that your emergency manager is registered to use the card! |
As with youths’ Go-Bags, store this Go-Bag with your other emergency supplies and secure it in a locking container or closet to which only staff have access.
Moving on: Emergency Supplies
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Select the area within your facility where you will store your emergency supplies (ideally this will be your safe room). |
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Use the emergency supply checklist on page 19 to determine which supplies you need to acquire; acquire those supplies and store them in your supply area. |
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Obtain several large backpacks or duffel bags and divide the bulk of your emergency supplies among them. |
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Begin tracking your stockpiled water and food on the maintenance log (Appendix B); replace these supplies every 6 months. |
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Schedule a check of your first aid kit to take place every 3 months; track this check on the maintenance log. |
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Create a Go-Bag for each young person and a Go-Bag for staff; store the Go-Bags in a secure container or closet, preferably with your other emergency supplies. |
How are my facility's records maintained? >> |
