The Emergency Management Agency is charged with the development and maintenance of a Comprehensive Emergency Management Program in coordination and planning with local, state, federal and private agencies in order to protect life and property from natural and manmade hazardous events. The program seeks to mitigate the effects of an occurrence, respond during emergencies and provide necessary assistance, and to establish a recovery system in order to return the community to its normal state of affairs as soon as possible. This agency is also charged with establishing, maintaining, and operating in Emergency Operations Center from which officials can conduct operations during emergency/disaster conditions.

To enroll in the IS-2, Visit the FEMA web site at http://www.fema.gov/emi/crslist.htm

• Community Emergency Response Team
  The course contains 24 hours of training in areas of disaster preparedness, disaster fire suppression, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and disaster psychology and team organization.

To obtain more information regarding the CERT program contact the CERT coordinator, DeSoto County EMA at 662-429-1359.

 

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Family Disaster Kit

Always have a family disaster kit and plan ready. Disasters can strike at any time, and response could be delayed as much as 72 hours after the disaster, depending on the type. Plan beforehand what your family should do and be sure each family member knows. Be prepared for any disaster before it strikes: you won't have time afterwards.

• Water: Store at least one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation). Water should be stored in plastic containers. Never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow.

• Food: Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, cooking and preparation. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following:
  
  * Ready-to-eat meats, fruits and vegetables.
  * Milk (powdered or canned).
  * Smoked or dried meats like beef jerky.
  * High-energy foods (peanut butter, jelly, crackers, nuts, health foods, trail mix).
  * Juices (canned, powdered or crystallized).
  * Stress foods (sugar cookies, hard candy, and sweetened cereals).
  * Soups (bouillon cubes or dried "soup in a cup").
  * Staples (sugar, pepper, salt).

• First Aid Kit: You should have two first aid kits - one for your home and one for your car. Check with the American Red Cross or your pharmacist about what to include in your kits. Be sure to include nonprescription drugs like aspirin, laxative, emetic, antacid, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

• Clothing and Bedding: Include at least one complete changing of clothes and footwear for everyone. Include rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, sunglasses, cold weather gear, sturdy shoes or work boots.

• Tools and Supplies: Miscellaneous items are needed in your disaster kit also. These would include but are not limited to: mess kits or paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, radio and fresh batteries, flashlights and fresh batteries, cash, can-opener, fire extinguisher (ABC type), tent, pliers and a shut off wrench, matches (in waterproof container), garbage bags, compass, aluminum foil, sanitation items, soap, household chlorine bleach, small shovel.

• Special Items: Family members with special needs - such as infants, disabled individuals, or the elderly - will need certain items that you might not normally consider. Be sure that medications, glasses, diapers, formula and bottles are included. Have some type of entertainment for children and adults. Keep important family documents or copies of such in waterproof, portable containers, such as wills, insurance papers, passports, immunization records, household inventories, birth\death certificates, bank\credit bard information.

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Earthquakes
An earthquake is defined as a sudden, rapid shaking of the Earth caused by the release of energy stored in rocks. An earthquake is a natural occurrence, like rain, and earthquakes can affect almost every part of the Earth, like rain. While predictions about earthquakes in the Central United States area have been going around for years, there is a good probability for a major earthquake on the New Madrid Fault in the future. A major earthquake on that fault would affect the DeSoto County area. Should an earthquake occur in the area that you are in, do the following:

• DON'T PANIC! When a rolling, shaking, or quivering motion is felt in the earth or in buildings, get under a desk, tables, or in the door frames and brace yourself against movement. If outside when an earthquake occurs try to get to a large open space as far away from trees, power lines, or buildings as you can.

• Be prepared for aftershocks that can occur within minutes to hours after an earthquake. These are natural and will be, at times, just about as strong as the main earthquake.

• Be prepared to cut off gas, water, and electricity to your home or business if necessary. Know beforehand what to do and when to cut these off.

• Have a family disaster kit on hand with enough supplies to last at lest 72 hours after the earthquake. Depending upon the type damage and the type response needed, not all areas will be able to have immediate response.

• Have a battery-powered radio on hand to be able to get news of what is going on in your area.

• Have a point of contact in another city or state that you and family members can contact and leave messages if you are not together at the time of the earthquake. Many times local phone lines will not work, whereas long distance lines will.

• If you have to leave your home, leave a note on a door so that anyone coming to your home to check on you will be able to locate you. In the note state where you are going, when you left, medical conditions of family members, and whether all family members are accounted for.

After the Emergency,

• Use extreme caution in re-entering homes or damaged buildings.

• Stay away from damaged or fallen utility lines.

• Be aware of possible gas leaks and do not strike matches or turn on fires if you suspect gas is leaking.

• If you detect leaking gas, turn off gas valve at meter and notify gas company, fire or police as soon as possible.

• Do not re-enter house until you have been told it is safe to do so, if it has been damaged.

• Turn off main electric power switch if fuses blow when power is restored after being off; have wiring inspected for short circuits by reputable contractor.

• Do not eat foods, which have been damaged by water or other mediums.

• Be sure to follow advice of local authorities concerning food in freezers and refrigerators after an emergency (if your home has been damaged or power has been off for any period of time).

• Let your family know you are safe after a disaster, if possible, but do not tie up telephones with long conversation.

• DO NOT REPEAT RUMORS AFTER A DISASTER.

• STAY AWAY FROM DISASTER AREAS.

Don't drive unless necessary. If you have to drive, use extreme caution and avoid areas where there has been damage, or where water is still over streets or in underpasses.
 

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Checklist for Severe Weather Conditions

• Tier II Instructions

• Tier II Form