It seems that having significant natural and weather related events in the tri-state area is now becoming the new normal. Join Summit Medical Group and the American Red Cross as they present how to prepare yourself, your homes, and your families for these types of events! Discussion will also include information about how to avoid common disaster-related scams.

1. Be Red Cross Ready
Presentation to the
Summit Medical Group
January 9, 2013
Live Well, Stay Well
Brian Natale, CPP
Hank Bernstein

2. The Red Cross Mission
2
The American Red
Cross, a
humanitarian
organization led by
volunteers, will
provide relief to
victims of disasters
and help people
prevent, prepare for,
and respond to
emergencies.

3. The American Red Cross
• Across the U.S.
• 650 Chapters
• 1 Million volunteers, 30,000 staff
= 97% volunteers
• Northern NJ region
• 4,500 volunteers, 65 staff
= 98 % volunteers
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4. Your Community...Your Red Cross
• The only government chartered disaster
response organization that is not federally funded
• All response services are provided at no cost
to the individuals and families affected
• Funds raised are applied to community disaster
response and safety awareness
• The premier trainer for lifesaving skills and
disaster response in the local community
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5. 2012 Northern NJ Region Activities
• Response; 400 local disasters, 900 families displaced by
home fires.
• Education; 15,000 community members about disaster
preparedness.
• Blood drives; Collected over 28,500 units of blood.
• Training; 143,500 individuals in lifesaving skills (CPR,
AED, first aid and aquatics).
• Military assistance;
• Helped 900 military families send emergency messages,
receive financial assistance, and get counseling and referrals.
• Informed 850 military members and families facing
deployment on accessing our services anywhere in the world.
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6. New Jersey Potential Disasters
6
+ Earthquakes,
hazardous materials,
nuclear power plants
events!

7. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms that
Affected New Jersey, 1900 to the Present
Source: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_Jersey_hurricanes
1 1
0
4
2
6
9
7
11
17
20
4
0
5
10
15
20
25
1900 -
1909
1910 -
1919
1920 -
1929
1930 -
1039
1940 -
1949
1950 -
1959
1960 -
1969
1970 -
1979
1980 -
1989
1990 -
1999
2000 -
2009
2010 -
2012
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8. Precipitation Extremes, New York, 1869 to Present
CENTRAL PARK
Last updated: Feb 3rd 2012
Wettest Years Wettest Months
1983 80.56 Aug 2011 18.95
2011 72.81 Sep 1882 16.85
1972 67.03 Oct 2005 16.73
1989 65.11 Apr 1983 14.01
2007 61.7 Oct 1903 13.31
1975 61.21 Apr 2007 13.05
1990 60.92 Oct 1913 12.97
2006 59.9 Nov 1972 12.41
2003 58.56 Aug 1990 12.36
1903 58.32 Nov 1977 12.26
Source, National Weather Service,
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/climate/records/wetdryyearsmonths.html
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9. Disaster Preparedness
The actions that individuals, families,
companies and governments do to
mitigate, prepare for, respond to and
recover from disasters.
The Red Cross approach helps You
prepare with three actions …
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11. Get a Kit
Get a kit for:
• Your home – if you need to shelter-in-place: A
“Stay” Box
• Your closet – if you need to evacuate your
home: A “Go” Bag
• Your car – if you need to shelter-in-place in
your vehicle: A Car Kit
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12. Get a Kit: A “Stay” Box
A disaster supplies kit for sheltering-in-place in your
home should include:
• Water
• Non-Perishable Food and a manual can opener
• Non-Battery Flashlights and Glow Sticks
• First aid kit
• Battery-powered or crank radio
• Tools
• Duct tape and plastic sheeting
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13. Get a Kit: On The Move Kits
Kit Items “Go” Bag Car Kit
A Preparedness Kit, including Food and
water for all members of your family
 
Clothing and bedding 
Rx and non-Rx medications 
Pet supplies 
Cash and coins  
Sanitary supplies  
Important papers 
Contact information and a map  
Cell phone charger 
Disaster supplies kits for:
• Evacuating your home
• Sheltering in your car

14. Get a Kit
Family First Aid kits (Deluxe soft case)
For more information and to purchase products from
the family of Emergency Supplies kits and First Aid kits
please go to www.RedCrossStore.org
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15. Get a Kit
Adult 3-day Emergency Preparedness kit
For more information and to purchase products from
the family of Emergency Supplies kits and First Aid kits
please go to www.RedCrossStore.org
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16. Make a Plan
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17. Make a Plan
• Talk
• Plan
• Learn
• Tell
• Practice
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18. Make a Plan
Make plans to evacuate your:
• Home – to another home or site near your
home.
• Town – to another town, if your town
needs to be evacuated.
• State – to another state, if New Jersey
needs to be evacuated.
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19. Be Informed
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20. • Know what may happen and prepare
• Identify how local authorities will
notify you
• Learn what you can do to prepare
• Share what you have learned
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Be Informed

21. Be Informed
New Jersey Alerts – www.nj.gov/nj/safety
Union County Alerts – www.ucfirstalert.org
Summit OEM -
http://www.cityofsummit.org/content/8242/8298/9106/default.aspx
Access and Functional Needs Registry System – www.registerready.nj.gov
www.redcross.org
www.redcross.org/nj/fairfield
www.redcross.org/nj/princeton
Call 2-1-1 for information
Call 9-1-1 for an emergency
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22. Be Informed – there’s an App for that
Red Cross Mobile Apps
First Aid App
The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday
emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the
official American Red Cross First Aid app offers videos, interactive quizzes
and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.
Hurricane App
Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your
family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power
is out – a must have for anyone who lives in an area where a hurricane may
strike or has loved ones who do.
Shelter Finder App
The Red Cross Shelter Finder is available in the iTunes store and works on
iOS devices. The Shelter Finder displays open Red Cross shelters and their
current population on an easy to use map interface.
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23. Common Local Hazards;
• Floods
• Winter Storms
• Disaster Scams
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24. Common Local Hazards;
Floods
• Most costly, deadly natural disaster
• 90% of natural disaster damage
• From 1/3 to 1/2 of natural disaster
fatalities
• 6” of fast moving flood water can
cause you to fall
• 2’ of water will float your car!
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25. Floods: Get a Kit
• The following kit supplies are of greater
importance during a flood:
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Extra drinking water
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26. Floods: Make a Plan
• Learn about your area’s flood risk and elevation
above flood stage. If you are at risk for floods:
• Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners’
policies do not cover flooding. Ask about the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Tell everyone in your family where they need to
go if you need to evacuate your home in the
event of a flood.
• Discuss your plan.
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27. • If at risk for floods, protect your property:
• Keep insurance policies, documents and other
valuables in a safe-deposit box.
• Seal walls in basements
• Consult with a construction professional.
• Install check valves in building sewer traps.
• Raise your furnace, water heater and electric
panel to higher floors, or the attic.
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Floods: Make a Plan

28. Be informed
If a Flood WATCH is Issued
• If your home is in a flood-prone area:
• Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with clean
water
• Bring outdoor furniture in, indoor furniture and
valuables up.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Watch = might occur w/i 12 to 36 hours.
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29. • If a Flood WARNING is Issued
• Listen for updated emergency information.
• Evacuate if you live in a flood-prone area.
• When advised to evacuate, do so
immediately.
• Follow advice of local authorities, including
recommended evacuation routes.
• Warning = occurring or imminent w/i about 30 minutes to an hour.
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Be informed

30. Protect yourself from danger
• Do not drive into a flooded area!
• Roadways near streams and rivers are most
dangerous
• If your vehicle becomes surrounded by water (or
the engine stalls), use caution when leaving your
vehicle.
• 80% of flood deaths occur in a car
• Remember the power of flowing water
• If outdoors, move away from flood waters.
• Avoid any flowing stream above your ankles.
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31. When it is safe to return home:
• Enter with caution, sturdy boots, flashlight.
• Be alert for:
• Structural damage, fire hazards, electrical issues, gas
leaks, loose plaster and ceilings
• Animals, snakes
• Discard food that has come in contact with water.
• Follow advice of health officials on treating water.
• Pump out flooded basements gradually.
• Take pictures of the damage.
• Report broken utility lines
• Help a neighbor.
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• Deaths are rare, but most occur in cars
and most are males
• Figures can be deceiving
• Winter storms may lead to icy roads
and white outs, flooding, power
outages, avalanches, heart attacks,
hypothermia
Common Local Hazards;
Winter Storms

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• Related to ice and snow:
• About 70% occur in automobiles.
• About 25% are people out in the storm.
• Majority are males over 40 years old.
• Related to exposure to cold:
• 50% are people over 60 years old.
• Over 75% are males.
Winter storm fatalities

34. Winter Storms: Get a Kit
• Make sure your emergency preparedness kit
contains the following winter storm-specific
items:
• A warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat and
water-resistant boots
• Extra blankets and extra warm clothing
• Non-clumping kitty litter or sand
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35. Winter Storms: Make a Plan
• Understand the hazards of wind chill.
• Service snow removal equipment before winter storm
season.
• Keep your car’s gas tank full for emergency use and
to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Discuss with your family what to do if a winter storm
WATCH or WARNING is issued.
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36. Winter Storms: Make a Plan
Protect your property:
• Make sure your home is properly insulated.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with
plastic from the inside.
• Wrap pipes in insulation.
• If the pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers
of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags.
• Consider emergency power and heating equipment.
• But follow safety guidelines!
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37. Be informed
• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio, or local radio or
television stations for updated information.
• If a Storm Watch or Warning is Issued:
• Be aware of changing weather conditions.
• Move animals to sheltered areas.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Stay indoors
• Watch = might occur w/i 12 to 36 hours.
• Warning = occurring or imminent w/i about 30 minutes to an hour.
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38. Driving Precautions
• Have your car(s) winterized before the winter storm
season.
• Keep your cell phone battery charged.
• Keep a windshield scraper and small broom.
• Keep gas tank full.
• Be aware of hazardous conditions; sleet, freezing
rain, freezing drizzle and dense fog.
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39. Driving Precautions
If you get stuck, stay with the vehicle:
• Display a trouble sign to indicate you need help.
• Keep warm!
• Run engine 10 minutes each hour.
• Minor exercise, huddle together, use any covering
• Let in air.
• Put on overhead light so that you can be seen.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Eat, drink for energy, heat, preventing dehydration.
• If more than one person, take turns sleeping.
• Avoid overexertion
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40. After the storm
• Continue listening to media or a NOAA
Weather Radio.
– Access may be limited to some parts of the
community or roads may be blocked.
– Major winter storms are often followed by even
colder conditions.
• Avoid travel until conditions have improved.
• Avoid overexertion, .e.g., shoveling
• Help a neighbor
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41. Possessions & Documents
• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
 Will, Insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
 Passports, social security cards, immunization records
 Bank account numbers
 Credit card account numbers and companies
 Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

42. Possessions & Documents
• Inventory your home 1 time per year for
insurance
• Take pictures of home contents &
valuables
• Store pictures on disk or files outside of
your home.

43. Make sure you are covered..
Read the fine print of your insurance coverage!

44. Cell Phones & 9-1-1
• Home phone/landline vs. Cell Phone
• 911 calls placed from cell phones are
routed to NJ State Police – Trenton
• Stating your exact location is very
important.
• Calls are transferred to local town
authorities by State Police Operators.

45. Bathing Tip
+ =
No power, no hot water….No Problem!

46. Cooking Tip
Buy it and put in the back of the cabinet!
It will be there when you need it!

47. Generator Safety Tips
• Never run a generator inside a
home or garage.
• Don’t Overload the generator.
• Don’t fuel while it’s running.
• Don’t get burned, it’s hot!
• Keep children & pets away to avoid
injury.
• Never try to connect a generator
directly to you home’s wiring.

48. Fuel Storage
• Use only approved fuel containers.
• Never store inside your home.
• Store in well ventilated area with
no open flames or electrical
equipment.

49. Home Utility Disconnects
• Know where your homes utility disconnects are located. Electric, Water,
Gas.
• Know the phone numbers to each utility company & how to report an
outage.
• Always call in an outage.
• Unplug and turn off items when power is out.
• If power outage or spikes are anticipated, protect your home’s wiring by
turning off breakers in advance!

50. Downed Power Lines
• Consider all wires ENERGIZED
and dangerous. Even lines that
are de-energized may become
energized at any moment!
• Electricity can travel through the
ground.
• Electric can arch as far as 10 feet!
• If power line falls on car?
• Call 9-1-1 for any downed wires.

51. Another Type of Disaster,
Disaster Scams

52. Disaster Scams
• Home and auto repair
• Charities
• Price gouging

53. Home Repair
• Take the time to shop around
• Be wary of transient “contractors”
• Obtain a written contract
• Check with appropriate agency
 Better Business Bureau
 Consumer affairs, 973-504-6200
 Board of Examiners
• Electricians, 973-504-6410
• Plumbers, 973-504-6420
• If anyone claims to have already performed work on your
property and is demanding payment, contact your local
authorities immediately.

54. Home Repair
• Red flags:
• Expects cash, large payment in advance
• Avoids written contract
• No permanent address
• Is not licensed
• No official ID -- avoid entry to home!

55. Auto Repair
• Check with Consumer Affairs on
complaint history
• Rely on personal references
• Get written estimate
• Consider a 2nd opinion if price seems
high or unsure about proposed work

56. Charities
“More than 1,100 Internet addresses related to Hurricane
Sandy have been registered since last Friday.”
Quote from US Justice Dept Briefing Nov 2, 2012

57. Charities
• There are over 1 million charities in the U.S. and 10,000 in NJ
• So, be wary if;
• Name is very similar to well known charity
• Caller applies pressure, won’t answer questions
• Unsolicited requests for credit card info, even if claiming to
be from known charity, i.e., phishing
• If the charity claims you have made a donation pledge but
you have no record or recollection

58. Charities
• Keep in mind:
• Trinkets and other items accompanying donation requests
are gifts to you
• Never send cash. Write a check directly to charity
• Keep a record of your donation, noting the date and amount
of the donation
• If unsure about a charity, check if registered with or exempt
from Consumer Affairs’ Charities Registration Section, 973-
504-6215
• Check charity evaluation sites, (www.charitynavigator.org)

59. Price Gauging

60. Price Gauging
• All you need to know!
• N.J.’s Price Gouging Law:
• Up to 30 days after a State of Emergency excessive
price increases on necessary goods or services are
illegal.
• “Excessive” is 10 percent higher than the price before
the State of Emergency.
• Report to NJ Division of Consumer Affairs

61. Disaster Preparedness
Now that you have learned how to
–Get a Kit
–Make a Plan
–Be Informed
Do you think you can help others?
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62. Give Blood
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63. Blood Donations Save Lives
Please consider becoming a regular and
frequent blood donor.
How to become a donor:
On the Web at www.RedCrossBlood.org
Or call 1-800-Red-Cross, Option 2
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64. Volunteer
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65. Volunteer
Red Cross volunteer opportunities
• Disaster relief operations/Disaster Action Team
• Services to Armed Forces
• International tracing services
• Blood services
• Disaster and emergency preparedness training
• Healthy & Safety courses
• Community Outreach and Youth programs
• Contact: Michelle Esposito, Volunteer Director,
973-746-1800 65

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