Farm Security
Section 7. Managing People
What Family Members and Employees Need to Know
Shelter-in-Place
Local authorities may instruct you to stay-in-place or  shelter-in-place if chemical or radiological contaminants are released into the environment or in the case of severe weather such as tornadoes. Take immediate shelter where you are —at home, work, school or in between— usually for just a few hours. Personnel should be trained to know how and where to shelter-in-place based on the most common types of emergencies in your area. In general, close and lock all outside doors and windows to provide a tighter seal. If you are told there is danger of explosion, high wind or hail, close the window shades, blinds or curtains. Turn off the heating, ventilation, fans and air conditioning systems. Get your emergency radio. Take everyone, including pets, into a basement or an interior room with no or few windows and shut the door. For more information, see Sheltering. Severe storms may isolate farms from the rest of the community for some period of time. It is important to be prepared to take care of people and animals for at least three days, and depending on your location, even longer. At minimum, a three-day supply of food and water for all humans and animals should be on hand at all times. For example, a cow can survive on about 5 gallons of water and 20 pounds of hay per day. One gallon of water per day is usually sufficient for a human. Adequate fresh fuel should be on hand for essential back-up generators. All family members and employees should know primary and alternate evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations for humans and animals. They should be trained to secure farm buildings, equipment and livestock for severe weather or other emergencies. If livestock will be evacuated, personnel should be trained in the proper procedures and know where the animals will be sheltered. |