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Be Prepared

Develop A Buddy System And A Family Plan

In an emergency, rescue workers may not be able to assist you immediately. That's why it is important to have a buddy system and family plan. You should plan ahead to have a friend help if you, a family member or a neighbor will need assistance during emergencies. Make contact with someone who will be your buddy. You should plan to call each other in an emergency. Decide now how you will contact each other, and develop alternate ways of finding each other in an emergency. Rehearse your plan with your buddy. During an emergency, look for or check on other individuals in your vicinity who may need help and let authorities know. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to have a family plan. Your plan should include how you will contact each other if you are separated during a disaster. For example, have each family member and your buddy contact the same friend or family member who lives outside your area. Even better, choose an out-of-state friend or family member as a "family" contact that you and your family and buddy can call. Everyone must know the name, address and phone number of the contact. You may have trouble getting through, but be patient. Have two predetermined locations outside the emergency area where your family or buddy can reunite, if separated. Each should be a safe distance from your home in case of fire, and outside your neighborhood or work location in case you can not return home or to work.

Prepare A Basic Emergency Supply Kit

In today’s uncertain times, each family should put together a basic emergency supply kit. See the "Evacuation Tips, Recommended Items To Take With You" section of this part of the telephone book to see suggested items or see websites below.

For further information see website www.ready.gov, or www.fema.gov or www.redcross.org, Disaster Services.

If You Have Special Needs

If you are disabled, have special health care needs during evacuations, or do not have transportation, and you have no one who can help you during disasters, you should immediately call the Rio Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC) at 979-245-3056 to register as a person with special needs. Matagorda County Emergency Management is able to get your information from ARC. Once you are registered in the system, you do not have to reregister unless you need to change your information. You can also send the form on the last page of this section to our local American Red Cross.

 

If you urgently need assistance during a disaster, call the Matagorda County Sheriff's Office and put the orange "Assistance Needed" card in a front window or tape it to your front door. The card is located in the back of this section. Leave the porch light on so emergency workers can see the card, unless you have been instructed to turn off your electricity. If you know someone in the area who is blind or unable to read, please read the information in this section to them, or contact the Rio Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Emergency Classifications For STP

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has four emergency classifications for events at a nuclear power plant:

Unusual Event

This is the lowest classification level and means a minor problem has taken place. Federal, state and local officials will be notified.

An "Unusual Event" poses no danger to the public. No action is required by you.

Alert

An "Alert" means a problem has occurred at the plant, but there is no danger to the public. The plant's emergency response facilities are activated, and federal, state and local officials have been notified and will be ready if the problem becomes more serious.

Remember: Your best defense in a situation is to remain calm, have a plan, prepare in advance, and follow our county emergency officials’ directions.

Site Area Emergency

At this classification level, there is no immediate danger to the people living close to the plant; however, you should prepare to take action.

Warning sirens, alert radios and a computerized telephone calling system may be activated.

General Emergency

This is the most serious emergency classification. This signifies that the potential exists for a release of radioactive material or a serious security event has occurred at the plant. Most likely, county officials will make some protective action recommendations to take if you live close to the nuclear plant. Listen to radio stations FM 102.5, FM 92.5, or NOAA radio for official news broadcasts and protective action recommendations.

Warning sirens, alert radios and a computerized telephone calling system will be activated.