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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
_____________________________
Deval L. Patrick
Governor
Timothy P. Murray
Lieutenant Governor
Kevin M. Burke
Secretary
Don R. Boyce
Director
MASSACHUSETTS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
400 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702-5399
Tel: 508-820-2000 Fax: 508-820-2030
Website: www.mass.gov/mema
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Judge, MEMA PIO
August 20, 2009 (508) 820-2002
STATE HIGHLIGHTS SAFETY TIPS FOR HURRICANE PREPARATION
With Hurricane Season Underway, Families & Individuals Should Review Their Plans
FRAMINGHAM, MA -As state officials continue to monitor the projected path of Hurricane Bill and
any possible impact on Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
is encouraging individuals and families to review their hurricane preparedness.
Governor Deval Patrick has directed MEMA to continue engaging the National Weather Service and
track the path of Hurricane Bill. While it is unlikely the storm will make landfall, MEMA has initiated
outine coordination calls with their federal, state, and local partners to review well established preparedness,
response, and recovery plans.
"Every home and business should have a basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency,
regardless of the time of year," states MEMA Director Don Boyce. "Everyone should keep certain items around
the house and workplace in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power."
Each emergency kit should have a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods,
along with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants
and pets. A manual can opener and a basic first aid kit are also essential. MEMA recommends that families
develop a Disaster Supply Kit 'Go Bag', with essentials in case you must evacuate quickly.
"All families should develop a 'Family Emergency Communication Plan' to help ensure everyone is safe. You
should contact your local authorities to learn about your community's potential evacuation routes and the
location of emergency shelters," said Boyce. "It is important to familiarize yourself with your Community's
Emergency Plans before an emergency situation occurs. It is also essential to familiarize yourself with your
community's Emergency Management Plans."
1. HURRICANE DISASTER SUPPLY KIT
Canned goods and nonperishable foods, particularly those that do not need cooking:
Canned meats and fish
Canned fruits and vegetables
Canned soups and puddings
Canned fruit juices
Dried fruit and nuts
Bread, cookies and crackers
Peanut butter and jelly
Coffee and tea
Manual can opener
Bottled water (1 gallon per person/per day)
Prescription medication (2-week supply)
Extra eyeglasses
Pet food/supplies
Water purification tablets (halazone)
Disposable plates, cups, and utensils
Infant care items:
Disposable diapers
Baby wipes
Baby food
Formula
First aid supplies
Masking and duct tape
Flashlight or lantern, with extra batteries
Battery operated radio, with extra batteries
Watch or battery operated clock
Ice chest
Matches
Canned heat (sterno)
Portable outdoor camping stove or grill with fuel supply
A certain amount of cash
Important documents (Such as wills, deeds, prescriptions, passports, birth certificates, health record, proof of address,
Social Security number)
Emergency generator
Plastic trash bags
Plastic sheeting or tarp
Chlorinated bleach
Personal hygiene items
Other useful items:
Work gloves
Sun lotion
Insect repellent
Hammer
Screwdriver
Pliers
Wrenches
Handsaw
Razor knife
Ax or chainsaw
Rope caulking
Nails and screws
Rope and wire
Broom, mop and bucket
All-purpose cleaner
Ladder
Sandbags
Portable generator
Tree pruner
Shovel, rake and wheelbarrow
Sheets of plywood
2. FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan in case family members are separated from one another
during an emergency (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and
children are at school, camp or at a friend's house). This plan should also address reunification after
the immediate crisis passes.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person.
During and immediately after a disaster occurs, it is often easier to access a long distance telephone number than
a local one. Also, calling outside a disaster area is usually easier than calling into the same area.
Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the Family Emergency Communications
Plan contact person.
Designate two meeting areas for family members - one within your community (your primary location),
and one outside of your community (your alternate location). Sometimes an emergency could impact y
our neighborhood or small section of the community, so a second location outside of your community
would be more accessible to all family members.
A Family Emergency Communications Plan can help reassure everyone's safety and minimize associate stress
3. STAY INFORMED
Educate yourself and family about emergency plans for your community, place of business, your child's
school and camp. Know what potential risks your community and neighborhood are susceptible to in a hurricane,
such as storm surge, flooding, etc. Know what your community's potential notification systems, emergency shelters,
and evacuation routes. Carefully monitor the Media and follow instructions from Public Safety officials as hurricane
approaches.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating
federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or
threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals,
families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies,
both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness,
go to www.mass.gov/mema.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Region I Region II Region III / IV
P.O. Box 116 P.O. Box 54 1002 Suffield Street
365 East Street 12-I Rear Administration Road Agawam, MA 01001
Tewksbury, MA 01876 Bridgewater, MA 02324-0054 Tel: 413-821-1500 Fax: 413-821-1599
Tel: 978-328-1500 Fax: 978-851-8218 Tel: 508-697-3600 Fax: 508-697-8869
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