Resolve to Be Ready in 2012!

Are you and your family prepared for an emergency? If you had to stay in your home for a few days, would you have what you need to stay safe, comfortable and healthy? If you had to leave your home suddenly, without time to pack anything, would you be ready to go? The time to start planning for an emergency is not in the middle of one. In an emergency, you’re either READY or you’re not.

Being prepared for emergencies is easy to do by following three steps:

• Make a Family Emergency Plan 
• Prepare a Go Bag and Shelter-in-Place Kit 
• Be informed about the types of emergencies and appropriate responses.

Learn how to prepare your family for any type of emergency by visiting the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready, or by calling 3-1-1 to request the Ready Philadelphia brochures in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Polish, and Russian.

To stay informed of emergencies, register for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system. Visit www.phila.gov/ready and click on the ReadyNotifyPA logo, and follow the registration instructions. You will have the option to select SEPTA transportation alerts, PennDOT Traffic alerts, alerts from the Philadelphia Police, the National Weather Service, and the other surrounding counties. The notifications are free; however, your mobile provider may charge for text messaging.

For additional information on emergency preparedness, visit www.phila.gov/ready, watch the PhilaOEM YouTube Channel or follow PhilaOEM on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and MySpace.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Dispose of Your Tree Properly After the Holidays

The Philadelphia Department of Streets offers trash and recycling options for your tree. The Tree Recycling Program will run for two weeks from Tuesday, January 3 until Saturday, January 14. This program provides an environmentally safe alternative for disposal of used trees.

• Citizens who wish to drop off their tree for recycling may take it to the Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers located at 3033 South 63rd Street, Domino Lane and Umbria Street and State Road and Ashburner Street during these weeks only. The sites are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
• Commercial entities are not permitted to use Sanitation Convenience Centers to dispose of their trees.
• Christmas trees brought to the site should be in the following condition:
• Free of all decorations and ornaments
• Untied
• Free of plastic bags or wrappings 
• Christmas trees put out at curbside will be collected as trash.
• Local civic and nonprofit organizations are also working together to recycle trees on January 7 and 8. Information can be found at http://www.phila.gov/streets/ChristmasTrees.html.

For additional information regarding the Tree Recycling Program contact the Streets Department's Customer Affairs Unit at (215) 686-5560 or visit www.phila.gov/streets.  

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Give the Gift of Preparedness This Holiday

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared.

The most important thing any individual can do is take a few minutes to discuss with their family, friends and loved ones what they will do in the case of an emergency or disaster. This includes developing a simple Household Emergency Plan, reviewing Philadelphia's Emergency Evacuation Routes and identifying how you would get in touch with loved ones and where you might meet if you are separated when an emergency or disaster takes place.

Additionally, there are simple supplies that can go a long way in the case of an emergency or disaster that would make great gifts this holiday season.

• Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits; food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours; i.e., extra clothing, blankets, and flashlights).
• NOAA weather radios with extra batteries. 
• Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class. 
• Fire extinguishers (for kitchen, garage, car, etc.) 
• Fold-able ladders for second-story escape in a fire. 
• Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags). 
• Pet Disaster kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate). 
• Battery powered lamps

This year, consider at least one of these ideas.  You just may save the life of a friend or family member. For more information or additional gift ideas, visit the What To Have In Your Home and What To Have In Your Hand page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Fire Proof Your Tree This Holiday

The Philadelphia Fire Department recommends placing your live tree in a special mixture to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Start by mixing the following ingredients in a five gallon bucket.

• 2 gallons of hot water.
• 2 cups of Karo syrup.
• 2 ounces of liquid chlorine bleach.
• 2 pinches of Epsom Salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon of Borax.
• 1 teaspoon of chelated iron.

Make a fresh cut one inch from the bottom of the tree and place it in this mixture for 24 hours. Then place the tree in its stand and add this mixture. Remember to top it off each day.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Meeting, Thursday, Dec. 15

Reducing Risks from Natural Hazards:
Phase 1 Rollout of Philadelphia’s Draft Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan 
Public Meeting: Thursday, December 15 
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Salvation Army Roxborough Corps' Community Center, 6730 Ridge Avenue

The Managing Director’s Office of Emergency Management invites the public to learn about the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan being developed for Philadelphia. Phase One of the plan will be rolled out on Thursday, December 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army Roxobrough Corps' Community Center, 6730 Ridge Avenue. (Snow date will be Saturday, December 17 at 10:30 to 12:30 p.m.)  

Between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., residents will view a series of poster displays featuring the natural hazards. The Office of Emergency Management will provide a brief presentation about the development of the Hazard Mitigation Plan at 6:30 p.m. After the presentation, residents will have more time to review the poster displays and provide their feedback and concerns about natural hazards in their community.

Phase One of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will address a comprehensive list of natural hazards -- droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, earthquakes, wind storms and tornadoes, hurricanes and tropical storms, Nor’easters, and severe winter storms -- that may impact Philadelphia. The purpose of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan is to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to human life or property from natural disasters through cost-effective and sustained mitigation actions.

“We welcome the public to join us on December 15 to offer their thoughts about the natural hazards of concern to them and businesses in their community,” said Deputy Managing Director for Emergency Management Liam O’Keefe.

The Office of Emergency Management will hold a series of meetings from mid-December through mid-February throughout Philadelphia to rollout the various phases of the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. Additional phases of the plan will focus on risk assessments of the natural hazards, as well as identifying short and long-term mitigation strategies for reducing risks associated with the natural hazards.

The public is encouraged to visit www.phila.gov/ready to:

• Find more information about natural hazards that can affect Philadelphia; 
• Obtain a listing of future public meetings about the plan; 
• Learn how to prepare for natural hazards; and 
• Sign up for emergency text alerts from ReadyNotifyPA

The public can submit comments about the plan through several options:

• Attending a public meeting and completing a Natural Hazards Plan Questionnaire 
• Sending an email to oem@phila.gov 
• Calling 3-1-1 to request a copy of the Natural Hazards Plan Questionnaire 
• Questionnaires must be completed and submitted to the Office of Emergency Management by February 16, 2012.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Tree Tips for Holiday Fire Safety

Watch Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers demonstrate the proper way to select, prepare and maintain a fresh cut tree.

Each year, during the Holiday Season, the Philadelphia Fire Department promotes "Holiday Fire Safety" to educate citizens regarding the proper care and disposal of Christmas trees. This year the University of Pennsylvania donated 30,000 tree tags that firefighters will distribute to tree lots throughout the city. These tree tags provide the following information on the proper maintenance of live trees:

• Make a fresh cut 1-inch from the base of the tree.
• Place the tree firmly in the stand with plenty of room for water.
• Check the water level daily and add if needed.
• Check electrical cords for wear, and outlets for overloading.
• Never leave a lighted tree unattended.
• Don't let the tree block exits or stairs.
• Keep the tree away from portable heaters and other heat sources.
• The tree should be free of ornaments and decorations before disposal.

If you are using an artificial tree in your decorating, check the tag to ensure that it is fire resistant. Tune in next week as we will mix a solution to use when watering your live tree to keep it fresh and following the holidays check back for information on how to properly dispose of or recycle your tree. For more information on how to stay safe this Holiday Season, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.

Flood Watch: Be Prepared for Flooding

With a Flood Watch in effect from Wednesday afternoon to late Wednesday night (December 7), make sure you are prepared and know what to do in the event of flooding.

Prepare for Flooding:

• Know your area's flood risk. To estimate your flood risk and flood insurance premium, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419. 
• Make an itemized list of personal property, including furnishings, clothing, and valuables. 
• Fill out a Household Emergency Plan containing important contacts for you and your family in the event of any emergency. 
• Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org, by texting PHILA to 411911 or by scanning the code below. (The alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.)

• Prepare a Go Bag that you can grab in case you need to evacuate your home in a hurry.   
• Learn the safest route to higher ground from your home or place of business to stay in case you have to evacuate. This should be part of your Household Emergency Plan.   
• If you live in a flood-susceptible area, keep materials, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber, on hand to help protect your home. 
• Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary. Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area, or you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber-soled shoes or boots and rubber gloves.  
• Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters or tape (to prevent flying glass).  
• Bring outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, garbage cans and other loose items, inside the house or tie them down securely.
• Consider flood insurance. Protection against loss due to floods is not covered under most homeowner's insurance policies. Flood insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at www.floodsmart.gov or 1-800-427-2419.

During a Flood:

• Keep a battery-operated AM/FM radio tuned to a local station and follow emergency instructions. 
• If you're caught inside by rising waters, move to a higher floor. Take warm clothing, a flashlight, and portable radio with you. Wait for help. Do NOT try to swim to safety.  
• If it is save and you need to evacuate, take your Go Bag with you. 
• When outside, remember: floods are deceptive. Try to avoid flooded areas, and do not attempt to walk across flood water more than knee deep. Just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.  
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Just two feet of moving water can sweep a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) off the road.

If it is Safe to Evacuate by Car:

• Take your Go Bag with you. 
• Avoid flooded roadways. Parts of the road may already be washed out, and you could become stranded or trapped.  
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Floodwater can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away.

Additional flooding tips, such as how to recover from a flood, can be found on the Floods page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management's website. Click on the following links for a list of Shelter-in-Place or Go Bag supplies.