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Preparing for emergencies is not new. When you create an emergency preparedness plan, you’ll be able to identify any special needs you and your family may have during an emergency. Adequately preparing will also help you assess any challenges or barriers you might face, plus let you maintain your independence during an emergency.
Your town and region have developed plans to keep you safe in an emergency. You should also have plans to keep your family safe in an emergency. You will find some very helpful and informative resources on this site. Take your time to explore the site and if there is something you are looking for that you cannot find, contact Leigh Cheney.
Common Disasters
When it comes to natural disasters, New Hampshire is relatively fortunate compared to other parts of the country. Major disasters are rare because of the state’s location and topography—still, they can and do happen.
Did you know:
- The most common disaster threat to New Hampshire is flood. Hurricanes and severe winter storms are also common natural disasters in the state, although earthquakes and high wind events are also possible.
- The ice storm of 1998 was the costliest declared disaster in New Hampshire’s history.
- New Hampshire is ranked 16th in the nation for casualties by lightning strikes.
- There are 89 high-hazard dams in New Hampshire.
- Due to its geographical makeup and historic architecture, New Hampshire is at high risk for earthquakes.
- 2,469 residents died in New Hampshire in 1918 in the flu epidemic.
- New Hampshire is also at risk for drought, hurricanes, landslides, pandemic flu, severe winter storms, acts of terrorism, tornadoes, and wildfires.
Manmade disasters
New Hampshire has many industrialized areas that pose a potential for manmade disasters. Hazardous materials of all types travel by road, rail, and water, so industrial or transportation accidents are possible just about anywhere in the state.
The CAPHN is currently working to develop a regional plan to respond to public health emergencies. The plan will address an event as large as a pandemic avian flu, a smaller scale event such as a Hepatitis A outbreak or a terrorist incident such as Smallpox or Anthrax. These plans will cover all individuals living in the Concord Hospital service area.
Responses to public health emergencies could include the following:
- Coordinating and collaborating resources between municipalities and agencies
- Opening a clinic to provide medications or vaccinations to a portion of the population.
- Supporting quarantine for a person who has been exposed to a contagious disease.
- Supporting isolation for a person who is sick from a contagious disease.
- Opening a mass care clinic for people who need care outside of the hospital setting.
- Developing a plan to deal with mass fatalities
- Communicating with the public on how to stay healthy and safe.
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