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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
How to make your workplace a safe shelter
- Close the business.
- If customers or visitors are in the building, ask them to stay. When authorities instruct to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps immediately and not go outdoors.
- Unless an imminent threat exists, ask everyone to call their emergency contacts to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
- Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate the business is closed and everyone will remain in the building until authorities decide it is safe.
- Close and lock all windows, exterior doors and any openings to the outside. If there is a danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains.
- Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically exchange inside air with outside air. These systems need to be turned off, sealed or disabled.
- Gather essential supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting/garbage bags.
- Select interior room(s) with the fewest windows or vents above the ground floor. It should have space for everyone to sit down. Avoid overcrowding by using several rooms.
- Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows work well. Avoid a room with equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because it may not be sealed from the outdoors.
- It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room. Cellular phone systems may be overwhelmed in an emergency.
- Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door. Write down the names of everyone and call your business’ emergency contact to report who is there.
- Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the doors and any vents into the room.
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