What should a family do first when a fire starts in the home?
Short answer: Get out and stay out
Getting out quickly and staying out keeps everyone safe. Call for help from outside.
Groan of the day: Don't flip out, just get out!
Study guides · Stuff Every Emergency Prep Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Emergency Preparedness merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Emergency Prep Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Get out and stay out
Getting out quickly and staying out keeps everyone safe. Call for help from outside.
Groan of the day: Don't flip out, just get out!
Short answer: Shut off power at the source
Turning off the power removes the danger. Never touch the person or wire yourself.
Groan of the day: Don't be wired to touch that wire!
Short answer: Stop, drop, and roll
Stop, drop, and roll smothers flames. Running can make fire burn faster.
Groan of the day: Stop, drop, and roll, not rock and roll!
Short answer: Reach or throw something
Reach, throw, or row from safety. Going in the water can put you in danger too.
Groan of the day: Reach and throw, let the pros go!
Short answer: Use ground to air signals
Ground to air signals help aircraft spot you. Use clear shapes or patterns visible from above.
Groan of the day: Signal bright, not out of sight!
Short answer: Use a whistle and bright items
Whistles and bright items attract attention. Sound carries farther than a voice.
Groan of the day: Blow your whistle, not your chance!
Short answer: A three day supply
A three day water supply covers evacuation needs. Plan for each family member.
Groan of the day: Water you waiting for? Pack it!
Short answer: To hear news and alerts
A radio works when power is out. It brings official news and instructions.
Groan of the day: Tune in, not tune out!
Short answer: To practice getting out safely
Practicing an escape plan helps everyone know routes and a meeting place.
Groan of the day: Plan your route, don't dilly dally!
Short answer: Staying safely inside
Sheltering in place means staying inside safely until danger passes.
Groan of the day: Stay inside, enjoy the ride!
Short answer: Safety hazards
A home safety checklist finds hazards so they can be fixed before an emergency.
Groan of the day: Spot the hazard, save the day!
Short answer: Use an improvised stretcher
An improvised stretcher conserves rescuer energy and protects the injured person.
Groan of the day: Stretch your skills, not your back!
Short answer: National Incident Management System
NIMS is the National Incident Management System. It helps agencies work together.
Groan of the day: NIMS is the name, teamwork is the game!
Short answer: Managing emergency response
ICS organizes responders so they work together clearly during an incident.
Groan of the day: Command with care, share and prepare!
Short answer: Crowd and traffic control
Crowd and traffic control helps keep people safe during an emergency.
Groan of the day: Control the crowd, be loud and proud!
Short answer: How to gather and respond
A mobilization plan explains how the troop gathers and responds when called.
Groan of the day: Mobilize wise, no surprise!
Short answer: Making a family meeting plan
Family meetings help everyone understand plans for sheltering and evacuation.
Groan of the day: Meet and plan, that's the plan!
Short answer: Seek safe shelter
Seek shelter in a safe building or vehicle. Avoid tall isolated objects.
Groan of the day: Don't be a rod, find a pod!
Short answer: Prevention
Prevention aims to stop emergencies before they happen. It is the first phase.
Groan of the day: Prevent the event, that's the intent!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Reduces impacts before an emergency
Mitigation reduces risks and impacts through actions taken before an emergency.
Groan of the day: Mitigate the risk, not the biscuit!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Helping during and after an emergency
Response covers actions during an emergency, like search and rescue and basic needs.
Groan of the day: Respond with care, be there to share!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: After the immediate threat has passed
Recovery starts after the immediate threat to life has subsided.
Groan of the day: Recover and rise, no surprise!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Support coping and recovery
Psychological first aid offers practical and emotional support to help people cope.
Groan of the day: A kind word helps, have you heard!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Train employees annually
Annual training tells employees their roles and responses during emergencies.
Groan of the day: Train the crew, know what to do!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Provide protection in extreme wind
A safe room is a reinforced structure giving near absolute protection in extreme wind.
Groan of the day: Safe room strong, weather wrong!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: It reduces forces on the roof
Closing interior doors reduces pressure forces on the roof during high winds.
Groan of the day: Shut the door, protect the floor!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Use N-95 masks and clean it
N-95 masks or higher protect lungs when removing mold. Clean surfaces properly.
Groan of the day: Mask up, don't pass up!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Cover open wounds with waterproof bandage
Covering open wounds with a waterproof bandage reduces infection risk from flood water.
Groan of the day: Bandage the cut, keep it shut!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Copies of prescriptions
Copies of prescriptions and charged medical devices help people with disabilities prepare.
Groan of the day: Prep with care, always share!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Gas leaks can be explosive
Knowing how to shut off gas prevents danger from explosive leaks.
Groan of the day: Know the valve, avoid the salve!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Individual circuits
Individual circuits should be shut off before the main circuit for safety.
Groan of the day: Circuit by circuit, don't jerk it!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Money for flexibility
Money is often most cost effective and flexible for disaster response.
Groan of the day: Give what helps, not yelps!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Foreseeable hazards
Drills prepare people for hazards like fires, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
Groan of the day: Drill it well, stories to tell!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Trained people for decisions
Plans should name trained staff responsible for decisions during an emergency.
Groan of the day: Name the lead, plant the seed!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: To check it works
Regular testing shows whether a plan works and what needs fixing.
Groan of the day: Test the plan, be the fan!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Preparation may make harm seem unnecessary
When preparation reduces harm, people may wonder if it was needed.
Groan of the day: Prepared and proud, no cloud!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Stay with the vehicle for shelter
Staying with the vehicle provides shelter and makes you easier to find.
Groan of the day: Stay in the ride, safe inside!
Short answer: Drop, cover, and hold on
Drop, cover, and hold on protects you from falling objects during shaking.
Groan of the day: Drop and cover, don't discover!
Short answer: Move to higher ground
Moving to higher ground quickly is essential during a tsunami warning.
Groan of the day: High ground found, safe and sound!
Short answer: Prepare supplies and a plan
Preparing supplies and a plan helps families handle hurricane power outages.
Groan of the day: Hurricane ready, keep it steady!
Short answer: Follow evacuation orders
Following evacuation orders keeps people out of danger from wildland fire.
Groan of the day: Go when told, be bold!
Short answer: Keep foods at safe temperatures
Safe food temperatures prevent bacteria growth and food poisoning.
Groan of the day: Chill the food, change the mood!
Short answer: To reduce a community's vulnerability to hazards
Emergency management works to reduce vulnerability to hazards and coordinate response after disasters occur.
Groan of the day: Be prepared, not scared!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Preparedness, response, mitigation, recovery
Emergency management activities are generally grouped into preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
Groan of the day: Four phases, one goal!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Permanent protection from disasters
Preventive measures are designed to give permanent protection from disasters.
Groan of the day: Prevent to protect!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Instantly shut off natural gas
An earthquake valve can instantly shut off the natural gas supply to reduce fire danger.
Groan of the day: Shake, shut, safe!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: On stilts
Building houses on stilts raises them above floodwaters and reduces damage.
Groan of the day: Raise it, save it!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Preparing equipment and procedures for disasters
Preparedness focuses on getting equipment and procedures ready to use when a disaster occurs.
Groan of the day: Get set before the threat!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Where and how to shut it off
Ready.gov says it is vital that household members learn how to shut off water at the main valve.
Groan of the day: Know the valve, stop the flow!
Sources: Emergency management
Short answer: Shelter in place or evacuate
On a personal level, response can take the shape of sheltering in place or evacuating.
Groan of the day: Stay put or get out!
Sources: Emergency management
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
Get out and stay out. Getting out quickly and staying out keeps everyone safe. Call for help from outside.
Safety hazards. A home safety checklist finds hazards so they can be fixed before an emergency.
Helping during and after an emergency. Response covers actions during an emergency, like search and rescue and basic needs.
Individual circuits. Individual circuits should be shut off before the main circuit for safety.
Follow evacuation orders. Following evacuation orders keeps people out of danger from wildland fire.
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