Surviving an Active Shooter Event: Run, Hide, Fight

The city of Houston's Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security Department prepared this video outlining what you should do if you find yourself in an active shooter situation: run, hide or fight.

The video is a Department of Homeland Security Grant Funded Project, produced by the City of Houston's Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The City grants permission to use the video in the format provided for its intended purpose only, information and awareness training for the general population.

If You See Something, Say Something^TM Posters:

The KC Terrorism Early Warning group is currently a partner in the Department of Homeland Security's SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING campaign. Campaign posters may be downloaded, printed and used as a resource to raise public awareness of reporting suspicious activity in the Kansas City area. Visit the KCTEW.org website to download posters»

Power Outage Preparedness and Safety Tips

The American Red Cross compiled some points on preparedness and safety tips that come in handy when your power goes out.

Power outage preparedness

Put together an emergency kit with these supplies: water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications, personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, family and emergency contact information, and extra cash.
Never run a generator in areas where people or animals are present. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide build-up in the home. Place the generator far away from open windows. Carbon monoxide from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death.
If you have functional and access needs, register your home with your utility company. Many companies keep a list of power-dependent customers in an emergency situation.
Identify Neighbors at Risk. Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight.

Power outage safety tips

Use flashlights instead of candles during power outages. Using candles or other open flames can lead to an extreme risk of home fires.
Keep food as safe as possible. Refrigerator and freezer doors should be kept closed as much as possible. Throw out any foods that have an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
Turn off or disconnect any appliances, equipment, or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can cause damage.
Use generators safely. Never plug generators directly into wall outlets. This practice can cause injuries to utility workers and others whose homes are served by the same transformer.
Take steps to remain warm. During cold weather, consider going to "cooling centers" that may be in your area. For a list of warming centers near you, please visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services warming centers map.

The Emergency Kit You Don't Want

When the storms have passed and the weather is quiet, take advantage of the downtime to assemble an emergency kit, or to replenish items in your existing kit. Here's one example of a preparedness kit you may not want. Thanks to the American Red Cross for providing this important message.

Weather Radios Save Lives

Unlike outdoor sirens, all-hazards radios save lives by alerting people who are indoors when severe weather approaches. They can also alert people in homes, schools and businesses to other types of emergencies. These radios provide constant, useful and up-to-date weather information. They are equipped with a special alarm tone that will sound an alert and give immediate information in a life-threatening situation.

Project Community Alert (PCA) is a community-wide effort to distribute weather alert radios. The Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) has partnered with Price Chopper grocery stores to sell the radios at a special price, $29.95. To locate a store near you, visit www.mypricechopper.com and click on "Store Locator."

Regional specialized response team helps with flood response

In late December, members of the Kansas City region's technical rescue teams were deployed to southwest Missouri to help respond to flooding emergencies. Team members were able to put their specialized training and equipment to good use in dangerous water conditions, helping to save seven lives.

The Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee has established specialty teams for technical rescue, hazmat, explosive ordinance disposal, tactical response and mortuary operations. Team members for each specialty are made up of emergency response professionals who train together using the same equipment and stand ready to respond to emergencies across the Kansas City region and beyond. Read the entire story»

Do you have an emergency plan?

Photo of a family discussing an emergency kit Are you and your family prepared for an emergency? If phone lines were down, if cell phones didn't work, if you couldn't get to the grocery store for a few days -- what would you do? If you had to evacuate -- where would you go?

Create an emergency plan online >

Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. The time to plan for a disaster is now, before it happens.

Create a Supply Kit: Keep enough basics on hand for your family-- water, food, first aid supplies, etc. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container, such as a large, covered trash container, a backpack or a duffle bag. Learn more>
Have a Plan: Meet with your family and talk about why you need a disaster plan. Decide on a meeting place and identify emergency contacts. Learn more>
Stay Informed: Know what the risks are in your area and how to prepare for each. Learn more>

CERT Rodeo in a Box

A CERT Rodeo is an opportunity to bring a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members or multiple CERT Teams together for additional training or hands-on practice of new or existing skills. It is also an important opportunity for CERT members to network, test equipment and remain active during non-disaster times. Rodeos give CERT Teams the chance to have fun and enjoy the camaraderie and friendship that comes from working alongside individuals who share a common interest and goal.

A CERT Rodeo can be as small and simple or as large and complex as you care to make it. You can offer advanced classes, work on the skills learned in the basic CERT course, meet for some friendly competition or do a combination of all of the above. Learn more, watch the training videos and download a guide to planning and hosting your own CERT Rodeo>

Disaster and Preparedness video series

In part two of the "Disaster Place Theater" video series, our characters focus on what to do — and what not to do — during a fire. This video is part of a series that focuses on the different types of responses necessary for different emergencies. The series, produced by the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee, is designed to share important information in a fun, memorable way.

Need more information? Contact your emergency manager>>

MEMC's Emergency Preparedness Guidebook
MEMC's Emergency Preparedness Guidebook - PDF version»

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