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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
Fires and explosions: What to do during the worst case scenarios
Explosions can collapse buildings and cause fires. People who live or work in a multi-level building can do the following:
- Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where emergency exits are located. Notice where all exits are when you enter unfamiliar buildings.
- Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are located and learn how to use them.
- Learn first aid. Contact the American Red Cross or take Community Emergency Response Team classes. Call (770) 499-4567 for CERT information.
Building owners should keep the following items in a designated place on each floor of the building.
- A portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- Several flashlights and extra batteries
- First aid kit and basic first aid manual
- Several hard hats
- Fluorescent tape to block dangerous areas
Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls.
If things are falling around you, get under a sturdy table or desk until they stop falling. Then leave quickly, watching for weakened floors and stairs and falling debris as you exit.
If there is a fire:
- Stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as possible.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
- When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the lower, middle and upper parts of the door.
- Never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat: burning those areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., using ladders and crawling).
- If the door is NOT hot, open slowly to ensure fire or smoke is not blocking your escape route.
- If your escape route is blocked, shut the door immediately and use an alternate escape route, such as a window.
- If the main route is clear, leave immediately through the door. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near the floor.
- If the door is hot, do not open it. Escape through a window.
- If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters.
- Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. Stay below the smoke at all times.
- Do not light a match.
- Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
- Tap rhythmically on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if you have it.
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