Shelter In Place

WHAT TO DO IN A CHEMICAL EMERGENCY
Who is CAER?
Several Ascension Parish chemical companies have joined forces with the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Sheriff’s Office to better educate area residents about industry’s role in the community. The result is the Ascension Parish Chemical Industry’s Community Awareness Emergency Response Committee, or CAER.  The CAER Committee’s duty is to inform the community about the chemical industry, what it manufactures, and what chemicals are used.

To better inform the community of a chemical emergency, the CAER Committee has installed a Community Siren Emergency Alerting System. This system has 26 sirens located in surrounding areas of the parish where CAER member chemical facilities are located. These sirens may be activated in the event of a chemical emergency that may affect the nearby community. These sirens can normally be heard within 2.5 miles of each chemical facility.  Additionally, the Ascension Parish Telephone alerting system, First Call, can be activated to alert the public.

I HEAR THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY ALERT SIREN.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The Community Siren Emergency Altering System is tested each Monday at noon. IF YOU HEAR THE SIRENS AT ANY OTHER TIME, stay calm and immediately follow the steps to SHELTER-IN-PLACE.

Shelter-in-place is a precaution aimed to keep you and your family safe while you remain in your house, school, or business. This is not the same thing as going to an evacuation shelter in case of a storm. Shelter-in-Place means going to an interior room inside your house, school, or business.

STEP 1:  GO INSIDE
Immediately, go inside a building such as your home, school, or office. If your children are at school or a daycare center, DO NOT attempt to pick up your children. The teachers are trained to protect your children and will follow the Shelter-in-Place procedures.

STEP 2:  CLOSE ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS
Make sure you close and lock all doors and windows to help seal them off. You may also cover windows with plastic sheeting and seal cracks around the doors and windows with duct tape.

STEP 3:  TURN OFF FANS, AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEATERS
Turn off attic and ceiling fans, heaters and air conditioners. Close all air vents and ventilation systems to prevent outside air from coming in to your home. If you have a fire place, check the damper and close it ONLY IF there is no fire in the fireplace.

STEP 4:  TURN ON A RADIO AND/OR LOCAL CABLE TV
Turn on a radio to 1590 AM and any local cable TV station for further information or instructions regarding the chemical emergency.

STEP 5:  STAY OFF THE PHONE
Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary because emergency personnel may call to give specific instructions on what to do.

STEP 6:  STAY INSIDE UNTIL GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR
Stay inside until the “ALL CLEAR” siren is sounded. Stay tuned to the radio and/or cable television until the “ALL CLEAR” messaged is broadcasted. After the “ALL CLEAR” message is given, you may resume normal activities.
You may want to open all doors and window, and turn on ventilation systems to air out your home, school, or business.

CAER Sirens

Being prepared is the key to protecting yourself, your children and co-workers. Remember to regularly review and practice the shelter-in-place steps at your home, school and business.

For more information on Shelter-in-Place, the Community Alerting Emergency Alerting System, the CAER Committee and other related information visit: www.ascension-caer.org or contact one of the CAER members.