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Lanita A. Lloyd
Deputy Director
140 North Marietta Pkwy.
Marietta, GA 30060
Phone: 770-499-4567
Fax: 770-499-4558
ema@cobbcounty.org
Cobb Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
Preparedness
Protect your family through prior planning
Meet with your family and discuss why you should prepare for disasters. Explain the dangers of fire and severe weather to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
Pick two places to meet
- Right outside your home in case of sudden emergency, like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family contact. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.
- Plan how to take care of your pets. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters after a disaster due to health regulations.
- Contact your emergency management office and American Red Cross Chapter about disaster preparations – be prepared to take notes.
- Learn about your community’s warning signals – what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
- Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, children’s school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.
- Meet with neighbors to plan how residents could work together after a disaster.
- If you’re a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a homeowners’ association or crime watch group, use disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors’ special skills.
- Make plans for child care in case parents can’t get home.
- Quiz your family every six months so they remember what to do. Practice and update your plan.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it’s kept.
- Post emergency numbers by phones.
- Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches or breaker/fuse box.
- Verify that you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Establish the best escape routes from every room in your home and try to identify two ways out of each.
- Find safe areas in your home for each type of disaster.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a disaster supplies kit.
- Take classes such as Red Cross first aid and CPR, or join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). You can get more information at (770) 499-4567.