What is Shelter-In-Place?
As we mentioned earlier, fire department, health department, and emergency service officials may advocate going indoors instead of remaining outside in the case of a chemical accident. This is known as shelter-in-place. You should follow these steps when notified by trained emergency agencies to "shelter-in-place:"

Shelter-in-Place
Fire Department, Health Department, and Emergency Service officials advocate going indoors instead of remaining outside in the case of a chemical accident. "Going inside" is termed "shelter-in-place." One can shelter-in-place in a building or even a car, if no building is available. By taking the steps described below, sheltering-in-place will significantly reduce the possibility of exposure.

STEP 1 (Shelter)
GO INSIDE When inside stay until you are notified by local radio, television, or other means that it is safe to go outside. This is likely to be done for only short periods of time. If your children are in school, school officials will provide their protection. Move your pets indoors if you have time.

STEP 2 (Shut)
SHUT ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS, and when possible, place blankets, sheets, towels or other such materials into air vents and cracks around doors and/or windows. Go into a
small interior room and seal it.

STEP 3 (Secure)
TURN OFF HEATING, COOLING, OR VENTILATION SYSTEMS such as central units, window and attic fans. All these systems bring in air from the outside. Do not use the fireplace or wood stove. Extinguish all burning materials and close dampers. If you have trouble breathing, place a wet cloth over your nose and mouth and breath through it.

STEP 4 (Listen)
TUNE IN FOR INFORMATION Listen to local stations KLKI-AM 1340 or KBRC-AM 1430 to keep informed when it is safe to leave. Do not use the telephone unless it is a life-threatening emergency. After the Shelter-in-Place period ends, ventilation systems should be turned back on and doors and windows opened.

Evacuation
Trained emergency agencies will decide if or when to conduct an evacuation and how to do it safely. The decision to evacuate may be appropriate when 1) you are not directly downwind of a large release but close enough that wind shifts could move your way; 2) you are far enough away to permit an orderly evacuation; or 3) the trained emergency officials have determined that an evacuation is required. In all cases, you should shelter until advised to evacuate by an official. Some emergencies may require you to immediately evacuate; other situations may allow more time to take additional preparation steps. You will be given orders on how quickly to evacuate.

IMMEDIATE Evacuation
If you are ordered to evacuate IMMEDIATELY, there may be potential immediate danger. For your safety, you need to evacuate immediately.

1.Follow any orders given by the officials.
2.Take only one car and drive safely. Keep all windows and vents closed. Turn on the radio for evacuation routes and up-to-date information. Do not deviate from evacuation routes announced by officials.
3.Follow directions given by officials along evacuation routes and be prepared to provide the right-of-way to any responding emergency vehicles.
4.Do not call your children's school or go to pick them up. They will be the first ones moved if any evacuation is necessary in their location. You will be notified by local radio or television where you can pick them up.

STATED TIME PERIOD Evacuation
If you are ordered to evacuate within a STATED TIME PERIOD, you should follow the same steps listed for "IMMEDIATE Evacuation." If time is available, take the following additional steps:

1.Gather what you and your family need. Pack only what you need most, with particular attention to items such as special medications, eye glasses, or materials required for infant care.
2.Turn off heating, ventilation, cooling systems and appliances. Leave the refrigerator on.
3.Lock the house or building when you leave.
4.Do not use the phone unless it is urgent. Keep any emergency call very short.

Evacuation plans will include special attention to facilities within the impacted area (i.e. schools, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.), and provisions will be made to evacuate those who need assistance in complying with evacuation orders. Precautionary evacuation of certain high-risk members of the affected population may be recommended. This may include infants, elderly, pregnant women, or people with respiratory illnesses. If needed, evacuation plans will also include efforts to feed and shelter evacuees. Besides chemical emergencies, trained emergency officials could order you to evacuate based upon other situations, such as those caused by flooding, earthquakes, or volcanoes.

Re-entry
Once an evacuation is complete, no access to the evacuated area will be allowed without the express permission of emergency management agencies. Re-entry will be coordinated through designated checkpoints in accordance with procedures.

The CAER (Community Awareness/Emergency Response) Group has formed a relationship with the local authorities to assist in emergency preparedness planning and to communicate important information regarding your safety during a chemical emergency. Proposed Emergency Plans are reviewed with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and other local emergency responders like the fire departments and law enforcement agencies.

The March Point CAER Group has established a 'CAER Information Line,' and we invite the community to use it to help us gather more input. So let us know what you think. You can contact the CAER Group by calling:

CAER Information Line
293-1767 (293-1RMP)
or
Email us at: info@caer-mp.org