Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare Your Business for an Emergency

According to the Institute of Business and Home Safety, up to 25 percent of small and mid-sized businesses fail within three years of experiencing a major emergency. Plan to stay in business by taking five simple steps:

• Assess the Hazards that Could Affect Your Organization - Consider the potential impacts of all hazards when developing emergency plans, such as whether your facility is vulnerable to flooding or how a power outage might affect your organization.


• Plan to Stay Open - How quickly your company can resume normal operations after an emergency depends on your planning. Start putting together a Business Continuity Plan.


• Talk to Your Employees - Communicate regularly with employees before, during and after an incident to ensure their well-being.


• Protect Your Investment - Safeguard your organizations physical assets.


• Know How to Respond - Most businesses are required by law to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), this details how your business will address life safety issues in an emergency.

For more information, visit the Ready for Businesses page of the OEM website. There you can download a Business Continuity Toolkit as well as find other resources to help your business weather an emergency.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Yield for Emergency Vehicles

During Emergency Medical Services Week (EMS Week), May 17-23, OEM wants to remind you of the proper way to yield to Emergency Vehicles.

• When an emergency vehicle approaches motorists should carefully pull over to the right and stop until all emergency vehicles have passed.


• Motorists should stay at least 300 feet behind emergency vehicles.


• If approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the highway, reduce speed and proceed with caution.

Scheduled NASA Launch

NASA will launch an Air Force Minotaur 1 rocket from their Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Tuesday, May 19, between 7:35 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., alternate date Wednesday, May 20. There is no cause for alarm as the rocket may be visible.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare Your Pet for Emergencies

Don't forget to include your pet in your Emergency Plans. In case you need to evacuate your home due to fire, flood, etc., put together an Emergency Go Bag for your pet with the following items:

• A three-day supply of water, food and containers, non-spill bowls, and a can opener


• Sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers/cages to transport pets safely and ensure that they cannot escape


• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, veterinarian’s phone number, proof of vaccination, pet license numbers, and microchip numbers


• Medication for your pet (if needed)


• Plastic bags, paper towels, and wipes for clean-up


• Photos of your pet

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team website at http://sart.cas.psu/ and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website at http://www.aspca.org/.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Stay Safe From H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. Stay informed. This blog will be updated regularly as information becomes available, as will http://www.phila.gov.ready/. Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 3-1-1 for more information.