What you do in the first few moments of an emergency is critical. They can mean the difference between life and death in some instances. Many times when emergencies happen our fight or flight response is triggered, and if you are unsure what to do, flight is the automatic response.
For every emergency scenario possibility, there is an appropriate emergency incident procedure that you can follow. While being prepared for every SHTF moment might seem impossible, there are a few that everyone should know how to handle.
Earthquake
When there is an earthquake, the first thing you need to do is not panic. One of the most dangerous things about an earthquake is the potential of things to fall on you. When you start to feel the tremors from an earthquake:
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Hide under desks, tables or stand in a doorway
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Stay away from large free standing furniture and windows if possible
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Leave the building as soon as possible, but be wary of aftershocks and tremors
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If you see other people are injured, try to help where you can and be prepared to call 911
Indoor Fire
House fires are responsible for 2,600 deaths a year. The emergency incident procedure you should follow in the case of an indoor house fire is:
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Try and extinguish the fire if you are able to. This is best when it is just a small flame, trying to put out a large fire can be dangerous and it is best left to the professionals.
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If you need to escape, make sure you get down low beneath the flames and the smoke. Crawling is your best option.
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Before opening any doors, check the handle with the back of your hand and if it's warm, there could be a fire on the other side, try a different exit.
CPR
If you notice that someone is having a medical emergency and is not breathing, CPR may be required to save their life. This can be a scary situation for anyone to go through, but there are some steps you can take to make it better:
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Always call 911 first to help you through this medical emergency.
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If you know the CPR technique, perform breath rescuing techniques. Do not perform CPR without knowledge of the proper procedures, unless guided by a 911 operator who is trained.
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If there is no neck injury, place the person in the rescue position.
Personal Injury
The emergency incident procedure following personal injury scenarios is dependent on what injury has occurred.
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Check for other dangerous situations, if all is clear, assess the damage and take care of the worst and most life-threatening first.
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If there is active bleeding, the first steps are to stop or slow the flood of blood.
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Head to the emergency room unless a spinal injury has occurred, in which case do not move anyone, call 911.
Evacuation
No matter if you have to evacuate a building, your home, or something else the important thing to remember is that materials can always be replaced, you cannot. Do not waste precious evacuation time trying to save a bunch of stuff.
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When told to evacuate, leave the premises right away.
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Grab emergency items that are close to you, but only what you can carry. Try and keep it to just important legal documents and emergency items.
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If you have a “go-bag” packed, this would be the perfect time to grab it.
Civil Dispatch
No matter what emergency incident procedure you are following, Civil Dispatch can help you get through it. We make your safety a priority. We are an emergency communication system that helps you be prepared for whatever life throws your way. Sign up today!