Local FEMA Search-and-Rescue Doctor,
Just Back From Hurricane Katrina Relief Mission Asks:
Does Your Family Have a Disaster Plan?
Philadelphia, PA, September 14, 2005– David S. Jaslow, MD, MPH, Chief, Division of Emergency Medical Services, Albert Einstein Medical Center, recently returned
from a week-long search-and-rescue mission in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he helped save two survivors from Hurricane Katrina.
As Medical Director of Pennsylvania Task Force-1, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue Team,
Dr. Jaslow knows that advance planning and preparation helps families cope with emergencies. As the father of two young children,
Dr. Jaslow says “having a disaster plan is every family’s best protection – and every parent’s responsibility.”
“Figure out how you’re going to find family members after a disaster occurs,” says Dr. Jaslow. Pick two places to meet: one
outside your home in case of an emergency like a fire and one outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Disasters often disrupt local telephone lines, so ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact.” Everyone in your
family should know this person’s phone number so they can call to report where they are and get updates on the rest of the
family.
Families should also practice evacuating their homes, finding two ways out of each room, and keep emergency supplies on hand
and ready to go in backpacks, plastic garbage bags or other easy-to-carry containers.
“Plan for three days of food and water – one gallon of water per person per day,” says Dr. Jaslow. “Include a first aid kit
with your family’s prescription medications, a battery-powered radio and flashlight – and plenty of extra batteries.” Dr.
Jaslow also recommends packing an extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks.
Other ways to prepare your family and home for emergencies include:
- Teaching your children how and when to call 911 for emergency medical help
- Teaching your family how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity
- Getting an ABC-type fire extinguisher and showing your family how to use it
- Installing smoke detectors on all floors, especially near bedrooms, then testing detectors’ batteries monthly and replacing
them yearly
Please go to
www.ready.gov for more information about creating a family disaster plan.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein
Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab,
Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein
also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call
1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Priscilla Koutsouradis
Communications Manager
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6730
koutsoup@einstein.edu
Publish date: September 14, 2005
