PARISH NURSE NOTES

Emergency Preparedness

Parish Nurse’s Notes. . .

Recently, I have attended several Emergency Preparedness conferences designed for Faith Community Nurses.  I am also a member of the Montgomery County Medical Reserve Corps.  We cannot control when a public health emergency may occur or what the health emergency may be.  However, pre-event planning can facilitate both a safe response to and recovery from that event.  Over the next months, I will be providing you with information about possible emergencies and ways you can prepare.

After 9/11, the focus of emergency preparedness centered on evacuation plans including having each family plan for a local and out-of-state contact.  Current thoughts, especially in the event of a pandemic flu event, may call for families to “stay put” or “shelter in place.”  Public Health officials have come up with “Plan 9” to help all of us remember the essential items to collect ahead of time.

• Bottled Water.  One gallon, per person, per day, for drinking and  sanitation.  You need to store the water in a cool, dark place and change to a fresh supply every six months.

• Nonperishible Food.  A supply of 3-5 days of food per person.  Examples are ready to eat canned meat, fruit, & vegetables; powdered milk & soup; crackers, granola, power bars.  Check expiration dates every six months.

• Clothes and Shoes.  Collect one change of clothes & shoes per person.  Consider packing blankets, rain gear or coats.

• Medications.  Collect at least three days worth of any prescription medicines you or family members take.  Be sure to note the expiration date and check or rotate periodically.

• Flashlight. Keep a bright flashlight.  Consider buying a lantern-style light for hands-free use.  Make sure you have plenty of batteries!  An alternative style has a hand crank to supply energy instead of batteries.  Makes a great gift!

• Can Opener.  Make sure it is a manual opener in case there is no power!  Some types cut differently so that you end up without a sharp edge.

• Radio.  You’ll need a battery-powered or crank-operated radio for listening to news and weather.  Remember extra batteries.

• Hygiene Items.  You’ll want basic items like soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, moist towelettes. 

• First Aid Kit.  You can buy a kit or assemble your own.  You’ll want antiseptic, gloves, bandages, masks, and non-prescription medicines.

Hopefully, none of us will ever need this information or these supplies – but you can’t count on it!  Ultimately, you’ll have to use common sense and listen to directions from a higher authority – the government on the radio or God through the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer.  The deacons and church staff will assist if possible.

Blessings, 

Joanie Friend, Parish Nurse