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Emergency Preparedness

This module outlines policies, procedures, and guidelines for employee safety during emergencies in Montgomery County. It covers evacuation, shelter-in-place, communication, and response protocols for various hazards like storms, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and extreme weather conditions.

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Emergency Preparedness

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  1. EmergencyPreparedness Prepared by Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

  2. Housekeeping • Building Evacuation Procedures • Shelter-In-Place Procedures • Cell Phone Use • Course Duration • Restrooms

  3. Role of OEMHS County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during Hurricane Exercise Mission: to effectively manage and coordinate the County’s unified planning, response, mitigation, and recovery from disasters and events should they occur.

  4. Module 1 Employee’s Policies and Notifications

  5. General Preparedness Points • If an emergency strikes while you are at a work site, • Take actions necessary to protect yourself. • Check in with your supervisor. • If an emergency strikes while you are not at your usual place of work(e.g., field work, working in another office or at meeting in another building), • Call your supervisor or someone else at your work site as soon as possible.

  6. Employee Leave Policies • Listen to local radio and television news stations to for the status of the County offices. In emergencies only essential employees will be required to report to work. The type of leave announced will dictate whether or not you must report to work. • Page 5 of handbook:

  7. Essential vs. Non-Essential Employees Essential Employees • Essential employees are those employees required to report to work during a modified liberal leave, liberal leave period, and general emergency unless they are prevented from doing so by severe weather or other emergency. Non-Essential Employees • Non-essential employees are placed on administrative leave for the period of their work schedule covered by the Emergency; however, directors may designate a non-essential employee as essential during a particular emergency if needed to perform critical work.

  8. Module 2 Emergency Response Procedures

  9. These procedures are based on a general guideline for certain potential common emergencies we face in Montgomery County • It is important to be prepared for ALL emergencies • These procedures are to be taken seriously to maintain life and safety • These procedures should NEVER contradict first responder instructions Emergency Response Procedures

  10. Natural Hazards within the Region • Thunderstorms • Flooding • Hurricanes and Tropical Storms • Tornados • Earthquakes • Winter Storms • Extreme Heat

  11. Inclement Weather • IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS: • Employees will be notified of the opening or closing of offices through public service announcements on local radio and television stations. • If inclement weather conditions arise during normal business hours, and a General Emergency or Liberal Leave period is designated, employees will be notified through department channels. PLEASE NOTE: Only the County Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, or their designee may close a particular worksite.

  12. Thunderstorms/Severe Weather and Flooding • If indoors, stay away from windows • If you are outside, seek shelter inside. • If flooding occurs, “Turn around, don’t drown!”

  13. Flooding • Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Stay tuned to radio/TV for information and be ready to move to higher ground • Flood Warning: Flooding is happening or will happen soon. Move to higher ground immediately

  14. Hurricanes Evacuate if given time and high category storm is expected, especially if declaration. Stay inside. Prepare for high winds, power outages, and potential flooding Make sure your emergency kit is ready Listen to alerts from the County

  15. Tornado Watch vs Warning Be alert to changing weather conditions!

  16. Tornado If Inside • Take shelter in an interior room with no windows or a special tornado shelter room • If in a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. • Use your arms and hands to protect your head and neck. If Outside • If you need to go outside, be careful entering any damaged structure. • DO NOT drive unless it is an emergency and avoid exposed routes. • DO NOT touch electric lines which may be down.

  17. Earthquakes Stay inside? Or go outside?

  18. Earthquake • In the event of an earthquake: • REMAIN CALM. DROP to the ground and take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. • Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. • DO NOT use a doorway as shelter, unless you know it is a load-bearing doorway. • DO NOT use the elevators. • DO NOT attempt to go outside until the shaking has stopped, stay inside! • DO NOT attempt to turn light switches on and off. • DO NOT light a match.

  19. Winter or Ice Storm • Stay in doors during the storm. • Be aware of changing weather conditions. • Avoid any unnecessary travel. • Contact your Chief Warden with any issues. • As directed by the County Executive, only essential personnel need to report. • Stay warm and make sure you have supplies. • Shelter in place!

  20. Extreme Heat Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes. Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas. Hydrate and stay in air conditioned buildings!

  21. General Emergency Questions

  22. Workplace Violence MCPD - Special Operations Division

  23. Fire Hazards Montgomery County Fire - Rescue

  24. Fire/Smoke

  25. Fire/Smoke • DURING EVACUATION • Remain Calm. Walk, do not run. • Close doors as you leave, and exit out the nearest door. • Go to the designated Primary Assembly Area assigned in your evacuation plan, and report to the floor warden for your area. ***If all exits from a floor are blocked, return to your work area and:*** • Call 911 to tell them you cannot leave and your location. • Close the door and place a towel or article of clothing along the bottom edge of the door. • Open the windows for fresh air and hang an article of clothing or other similar article out the window.

  26. Medical Emergency • If there is a medical emergency: • Call 911 if you believe the injury or illness is life threatening and provide the dispatcher with: • The specific location of the patient and their age (if known); • The nature of the injured person’s illness or injury; and • Your name and phone number • Remain on the line to answer any questions. • Immediately ask a nearby co-worker to direct rescue units to your location. • DO NOT attempt to move an injured person unless you have been trained.

  27. See Something, Say Something • If you see something suspicious, you should: • Call 911 and report: • WHO or WHAT you saw; • WHEN you saw it; • WHERE it occurred; and • WHY it's suspicious.

  28. Bomb Threat • If you are in a public place and a bomb threat is issued, you should: • REMAIN CALM. • Follow directions from people in authority: • Police • Fire • EMS • Military personnel • Community leaders

  29. Suspicious Mail and Packages • When identifying suspicious mail or packages, look for: • Unfamiliar return address or none at all • Strange odor or noise, or appearance • Excessive postage • Addressed to a business title only (e.g. President) • Restrictive markings (e.g. Do not X-ray) • Excessive wrapping, tape or string • What to do with suspicious mail or package: • REMAIN CALM. • Put letter or package down and DO NOT DISTURB the objectfurther. • Call 911. • If possible, wash your hands. Do not touch nose, eyes or mouth before washing. • WAIT FOR HELP; DO NOT LEAVE PACKAGE UNATTENDED.

  30. Hazardous Materials Incident

  31. Fire Hazard Questions

  32. Module 5An Emergency Preparedness Guide Prepared by Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security

  33. A Four-Step Path to Preparedness • Get Informed (sign up for Alert Montgomery) • Make a Plan • Build a Kit • Get Involved

  34. Make a Plan! • Location outside of neighborhood where family can reunite if home is not accessible • Out-of-town contact where family members can get word about safety if local phones are not working • Steps to follow if County officials ask you to evacuate or shelter in place

  35. Make an Emergency Kit! • Water – at least one gallon per person per day for 3 days • Food • Can Opener • Radio • First Aid Kit • Flashlight – remember extra batteries • Medication – 3 day supply • Toiletries • Copies of Important Documents

  36. Get Involved! • Join an emergency volunteer organization near you that is involved in community preparedness and response. • Emergency volunteer groups help with: • Shelters • Pet shelters • Health and medical support

  37. For more information and resources, please visit our website: MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/OEMHS

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