Emergency Checklist

• People
• Everyone Accounted For
• Injuries
• Property
• Fire
• Natural Gas Odor
• Electricity
• Burning Smell
• Power Out
• Any Obvious Structural Damage
• Cracks in Ceiling or Walls
• Cracks in Foundation
• Sagging Roof
• Water
• Leaking or Out

The green flag signals that all the residents in the home are well. The yellow flag signals that some individuals in the home have sustained minor injuries and could use help, when help is available. The red flag signals to all that someone in the home has sustained major injuries and requires help immediately.

Immediately following a disaster, residents should assess each person in the home as well as the structure itself. After they complete this assessment, they should flag their home according to their needs. Residents should place the flag (or tape) on their lawn (or door), in plain sight for anyone that may pass by in response (i.e. the Neighborhood Captains, professional responders, or even neighbors). Neighborhood Captains should follow the same process on their own home before going to any other home.

Neighborhood Captains should then proceed from their home to check on the neighbors in the block. If you see flags marking some homes and no flags at other homes, proceed to the unmarked homes first. Remember that life is more important than property; if you go to a home and no one is there, do not continue assessing the home until all other homes have been checked and all victims have been triaged and reported.

As a Neighborhood Captain, you need to check all homes before you commit your time to any one victim or situation. This may be difficult to do because you may want to stay with someone to provide comfort and care. You must remember that you have a responsibility to everyone in the block.

You can, however, “recruit” fellow neighbors to stay with someone that is injured or to secure a home from anyone trying to go inside because of extensive damage.