Disaster Specific Planning Resources

 1. Fire

Institute for Business and Home Safety’s website details how to prepare for wildfires. Some of this information is equally helpful for averting home or business fires — like retrofitting your building with non-flammable materials, and examining the role landscaping can play in fires.

www.disastersafety.org has more info on Fire safety.


FEMA provides a list of fire prevention steps, including smoke alarms, escape equipment, electrical inspections, and having A-B-C fire extinguishers at the ready.
www.fema.gov/hazard

The National Park Service’s Emergency Planning document covers fire prevention, with an emphasis on “good housekeeping” and some common-sense advice.
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/MHI/CHAP10A-B.pdf
See section 10.4-10.6

Washington State’s Emergency Resource Guide gives a bulleted list, including information on escaping a fire.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pdf
See page 30 (32 in pdf) of Emergency Resource Guide.

2. Flood

Along with fire, flood is the most common and widespread of natural disasters. The sheer force of just six inches of swiftly moving water can knock people off their feet! Cars are easily swept away in just two feet of water.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety’s website covers everything from sealing out water to installing sewer backflow valves and raising up electrical system components, including wiring, at least one foot above the 100-year flood level.

www.ibhs.org and www.disastersafety.org have more.
 

The FEMA site (www.fema.gov/hazard) contains this “Before a Flood” list:

• Avoid building in a flood-prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home.

• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel if their location is susceptible to flooding.

• Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.

• Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area.

• Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

The Museum Handbook of the National Park Service reminds us: “Water damage is often the result of fire-fighting activities, storms and structural damage, but may also be due to flash floods; floor drainage backups; leaking HVAC systems, pipes, roofs and skylights; seepage and slow-rising floods; and tidal waves.” The handbook also goes over various artifact vulnerabilities to water damage.
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/MHI/CHAP10A-B.pdf
See section 10.7-10.

Also see p. 40 (42 in pdf) of the Washington State Emergency Resource Guide
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pd

3. Earthquake

Although earthquakes strike without warning, you can retrofit your studio space to better ride one out successfully, plus deal with possible aftershocks.

A clear, three-page guide prepared by art/earthquake specialist Jamie Hascall for the Artist Trust begins by addressing personal safety, then details how to secure shelving and objects. She also covers tipping, tripping, collision and falling hazards.
http://artisttrust.org/index.php/for-artists/resource/studio_earthquake_preparedness

For the top 10 retrofits to protect your work space and home from earthquake damage, visit www.ibhs.org. The Institute for Business and Home Safety gives specifics about everything from securing lighting and water heaters to tips on how to keep fluorescent bulbs from scattering if they break. Download this comprehensive guide in pdf format.

Washington State’s Emergency Resource Guide has a tab for home preparedness in case of an earthquake. It gives detailed illustrations and video links for many of the standard “how-tos.” http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pdf  See page 39 (41 in pdf) of the Emergency Resource Guide.

The Guide provides the following checklist:

• Hang pictures and mirrors away from anywhere people sit. Anchor overhead light fixtures and hanging plants to the structural support above the ceiling.

• Secure televisions, computers and stereo equipment using inexpensive products, including adhesive-backed latches, nylon and elastic cords, and shelf edges to prevent items from falling.

• Wood burning and other freestanding stoves pose a fire hazard in an earthquake, and should be anchored to the floor.

• Strap the water heater to wall studs. The water heater may be your best source of drinkable water following an earthquake. Protect it from damage and leaks.

• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs. Brace or anchor top-heavy objects — these items can fall over, causing damage or severe injuries.

• Secure kitchen equipment to the floor, wall or countertop, such as stoves and ovens, built-in and countertop microwave ovens, garbage compactors, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, clothes washers and dryers.

Also see the Museum Handbook of the National Park Service, section 10.28-30.
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/MHI/CHAP10A-B.pdf

Drop, Cover, Hold On is the mantra for what to do when an earthquake strikes.  Dropcoverholdon.org has tips for protecting yourself during a quake, and you can test your knowledge on preparing a room for a quake with their game "Beat the Quake."

California, the Central U.S., and states in other siesmic zones have periodic "ShakeOuts" or earthquake preparedness drills.  Find out what is happening and get information on how to participate at www.shakeout.org.

4. Hurricane/Tornado/High Winds

Before the storm, the Heritage Emergency National Task Force (www.heritageemergency.org) provides this list to help you prepare:

• Move vital records and high-priority items away from windows and below-ground storage into water-resistant areas. Avoid areas under roofs.

• Screw plywood over windows or use tape to reduce shattering.

• Verify location and procedures for shutting off water, gas and electricity.

• Wrap shelves, cabinets and other storage units in heavy plastic sealed with waterproof tape.

• Move outdoor objects indoors or secure in place.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety gives detailed information on shuttering your building, with clear and complete specifications. Its site also covers evaluating trees for potential hazard, strengthening your roof and gables, and identifying items around your home that could become an airborne danger.
www.ibhs.org
Under the “Risks” tab, see “High Wind, Tornado, Hurricane.” Also see the video detailing five things you can do to help your home better survive severe wind storms.

Pages 31 (33 in pdf) of the Washington State Emergency Resource Guide offer a detailed list of what to do before and during a power outage, including the reminder about having a corded telephone as well as food-storage equipment.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pdf

Also see the Museum Handbook of the National Park Service, section 10.30-33.
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/MHI/CHAP10A-B.pdf

5. Snow and Ice/Power Outage

Along with power outages, storms may cause structure collapse, fires and floods.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety makes recommendations for alternative heating sources, avoiding ice dams and keeping pipes from freezing.
www.ibhs.org Under the “Risks” tab, see “Freezing Weather.”

FEMA details everything from preparing for possible isolation to having sufficient fuel and supplies, and how to turn off water valves in case of pipes bursting. The site also refers to secondary disasters, like flooding. www.fema.gov/hazard

Among its dozens of instructions, the Museum Handbook of the National Park Service can help you install lightning rods, ensure that all drainage systems are clear, and become familiar with emergency broadcast stations on television and radio. http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/MHI/CHAP10A-B.pdf  See section 10.14-17

See also p. 46 (48 in pdf) of Washington State’s Emergency Resource Guide http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pdf  Page 36 (38 in pdf) has information about using a generator safely during power outages.

6. Volcanic Eruption

Washington State’s Emergency Resource Guide details basic preparation for volcanic eruption, and tells how to prepare for the often-devastating ash fall that can follow. Especally important: having dust masks available, blocking off sources of draft and protecting dust-sensitive electronics. Lots of information here, too, on removing volcanic ash.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pdf
See page 39 (41 in pdf) of the Emergency Resource Guide.

FEMA also gives some information on what to do during and after an eruption.
www.fema.gov/hazard

7. Landslides, Explosions, Hazardous Materials

FEMA gives the prevention basics, along with how to identify the warning signs in situations such as landslides.
www.fema.gov/hazard

Pages 20 (22 in pdf) & 41 (43 in pdf of Washington State’s Emergency Resource Guide cover mud and landslides, along with chemical hazards (p.20).
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/EmerRes08.pdf

Also see section 10.21-22 of the National Park Service’s Museum Handbook for information on hazardous materials.
http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/MHI/CHAP10A-B.pdf