Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Develop a Fire Home Escape Plan

Every good home escape plan starts with placing working smoke detectors on each floor of your home. Then sit down with your family and design a Fire Home Escape Plan using these tips:

• Plan escape routes from each level of your home, providing at least two means of escape from each room. (Note: When planning an escape from the second floor or above, you may need home escape ladders to safely exit a window.)
  
• Be sure to provide assistance for those with special needs.
• Have a Family Meeting Place outside your home so everyone can be accounted for after you escape.
• Never go back into a burning building.
• Call 911 from a neighbor's home after you escape.

Click to download a Fire Home Escape Plan Template and a Fire Home Escape Plan Check-list from the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Know How to Recover From The Recent Flooding

If you or a loved-one were impacted by the recent flooding in Philadelphia, following these simple steps toward recovery:

• Before re-entering a building, check for structural damage. Make sure it is not in danger of collapsing. Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter or tank, and let the building air out for several minutes to remove foul odors or escaping gas. 
• Watch for electrical shorts or live wires before turning off the main power switch. 
• Do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short circuits. 
• Cover broken windows and holes in the roof or walls to prevent further weather damage. 
• Throw out fresh food and previously opened medicines that have come in contact with flood waters. 
• Water for drinking and food preparation should be boiled vigorously for 10 minutes (until the public water system has been declared safe). 
• Owners should take pictures of all damage and flood impacts and keep receipts for all repairs if they intend to apply for disaster assistance or to make an insurance claim.

Mayor Nutter Announces New Personnel Appointments to Office of Emergency Management

Philadelphia, October 4, 2010 - Mayor Nutter announced today the appointments of Liam O’Keefe to the position of Deputy Managing Director and Samantha Phillips to the position of Assistant Managing Director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Mr. O’Keefe will assume the post that was vacated by MaryAnn Tierney, who currently serves as FEMA’s Regional Administrator for Region III. Ms. Phillips will fill the position that Mr. O’Keefe originally held since February, 2007. Mr. O’Keefe and Ms. Phillips will collaborate with City departments and external organizations to develop comprehensive emergency management plans to mitigate the impact of emergencies and guide the city through recovery efforts.

“Liam and Samantha’s collaborative efforts with City partners have proven to be pivotal in preparing OEM to handle a variety of emergency situations,” said Mayor Nutter. “Their hard work has made the City more secure and thoroughly prepared OEM employees to maintain public safety while keeping citizens well-informed.”

“Liam and Samantha have proven their ability to prepare the City and our residents for emergencies,” said Deputy Mayor for Administration and Coordination/Managing Director Rich Negrin. “Their dedication, diligence and experience will allow us to respond quickly and appropriately.”

“I’m honored to have been selected to head the Office of Emergency Management,” said Liam O’Keefe. “I look forward to tackling the challenges associated with this role and am excited to continue working with our public and private sector partners to enhance emergency management capacity within the city and region.”

Prior to his work with the City, Mr. O’Keefe was a management consultant to FEMA. From 2001 to 2003, he served as an Emergency Preparedness Specialist with the New York City Office of Emergency Management where he helped coordinate the World Trade Center disaster response and recovery efforts. He also coordinated emergency response efforts during Hurricane Katrina. Prior to Ms. Phillips’ work with the City, she worked at George Washington University’s Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management and served as a member of the National Preparedness and Response Corps for the American Red Cross’ Southeast Louisiana Chapter. Mr. O’Keefe will receive a salary of $114,400 and Samantha Phillips’ salary will be $100,000.