THE EXTENSION AGENT'S

Handbook for Emergency Preparation and Response

A Special Project by Texas Agricultural Extension Service and Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center

with funding provided by

Extension Service-United States Department of Agriculture

Dr. D. L. Bilbo Jay Todd

Project Director Project Associate

INTRODUCTION

The Extension Agent's Handbook for Disaster Preparedness and Response can be a valuable response tool for you, the Extension agent, in times of emergency or as an aid in preparedness education activities. The Handbook is divided into two parts to provide the information you need in an easy-to-use format. The first section of the Handbook, General Family Preparedness, provides basic information you may need to access quickly in any disaster or emergency situation. It also may be used as a preparedness education tool for the public.

The second section of the Handbook covers 10 disaster specific situations. For the purposes of this manual, a disaster is any event which drastically affects a person's life or livelihood. Floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, earthquakes, droughts and volcanic eruptions are considered to be natural disasters, events over which one usually has no control. Radiological and hazardous materials accidents may be caused by the failure of people to maintain control over the operation, transportation or storage of certain materials. In addition to an overview of the disaster, each section provides a series of preparedness measures and post-disaster responses that should be taken in conjunction with those outlined in the General Family Preparedness section.

This handbook is not intended to cover every situation. It provides basic information you will need for a disaster situation and early post-disaster response. Because every community is different, special consideration for the local area should be taken into account along with the information provided in the Handbook.

Pages and sections of the Handbook may be removed and photocopied. Information is structured in a manner conducive to public use. Extension agents are encouraged to provide copies of the material to the public both as "preventive education" and for response needs.

This Handbook was developed as a joint effort of Extension Service-United States Department of Agriculture, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center, Texas A&M University.

The information given herein is for educational purpose only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service is implied.

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve citizens of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Zerle L. Carpenter, Director, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.

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Acknowledgments

The following agencies and individuals have contributed to the development of this handbook.

American Red Cross-National Headquarters American Red Cross-Brazos Valley Chapter Arkansas Cooperative Extension

Colorado Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (CEHRP) Federal Emergency Management Agency Florida Cooperative Extension Service

Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center-Texas A&M University (HRRC) Kansas State Cooperative Extension Service National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Weather Service Natural Hazards Centers-University of Colorado North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service North Carolina Emergency Management Penn State University Texas Agricultural Extension Service (TAEX) Texas Agri-Business Electric United States Department of Agriculture-Extension Service (ES-USDA) United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture (Ag-USDA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) Washington State Cooperative Extension

Meri K. Appy - NFPA Dr. Rocky Lopes - ARC

Dr. David Bilbo - TAEX/HRRC Mary Fran Myers - Natural Hazards Center

Dr. Wayne Blanchard - FEMA Dr. Sherry Oaks - CEHRP

Dr. Judith Bowers - ES-USDA Dr. Nell Page - TAEX

Dr. Billy Caldwell - NC Extension Greg Parham - ES-USDA

Jim Coyle - USFA Dr. Susan Quiring - TAEX

Dr. Chester Fehlis - TAEX Brad Rein - ES-USDA

Dr. Guy Fipps - TAEX Gordon Riall - TAEX

Wilma Hammet - NC Extension Dr. Milo Schult - AR Extension

Dr. Phil Hamman - TAEX Greg Stark - Texas Agri-Business Electric

Catherine Henry - NC EM Bob Stephens - WA Extension

Dr. Glenda Herman - NC Extension Dr. John Sweeten - TAEX

Dr. Jennie Kitching - TAEX William Thomas - B/CS Red Cross

Harriet Jennings - NC Extension Jay Todd - TAEX

Virginia Kimball Dr. Doug Welsh - TAEX

Dr. Bruce Lesikar - TAEX Dr. Dennis Wenger - HRRC

Shirley Lewis - TAEX Don Wernly - National Weather Service

Dr. Elizabeth Limersal - FEMA Sandra Zaslow - NC Extension

Supplemental funding for reproduction and distribution provided by the College of Architecture Texas A&M University.

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