Winter weather protocol week of January 18, 2016
Please post
The National Weather Service has issued a “Hazardous Weather Outlook” for Friday, January 22nd evening through Sunday, January 24th. There is growing potential for a major winter storm Friday night into Sunday. This storm could produce heavy snow and strong winds. Please take precautionary/preparedness actions. Emergency services in our areas are preparing to deal with this weather pattern as best as they can; we are asking that we do the same for ourselves, and those we serve. 
Please take this time to prepare the following:
•	Please have your go-bags ready and know the number and location of your cots or mattresses, if you have them.
•	Please contact your “buddy house” to let them know how best to reach you if a storm hits, and to confirm and plans of support for each other. If you do not know who yours is, please contact your director.
•	Please make sure your food processors have batteries, for those houses that need them for daily food preparation. Know where your manual can opener and flashlights are, and make sure they are working. 
•	Please contact the maintenance team if you have any questions about your generator. Please confirm that your land-line telephones are working. The maintenance on call number: XXX-XXX-XXXX. Please confirm that you have at least one full five-gallon tank of gas, if your house has a portable generator. YOU MUST TURN OFF THE GENERATORS TO REFUEL SAFELY. For whole house generators (Generac) please make sure periodically that the vents are clear.
•	Please make sure you have all on-call numbers; they should be readily available and posted: Director On-Call XXXXXXXX, XXX-XXX-XXXX, Clinician On-Call: XXXXX, XXX-XXXX, Nursing On-Call: XXXXX, XXX-XXX-XXXX.
•	Please make sure the house has sufficient medications, food and water to last at least three days.
•	Please make sure your vehicle(s) gas tanks are full. Know where the vehicle brushes are; they should be cleaned off periodically to avoid too heavy build up. Please park the vehicles FACING OUT.
•	Please make sure your cell phones are charged. Know where the car charges are!
•	Please make sure you plan menus and meals in advance (heated and non-heated).
•	Please check the outside emergency key box for van key and updated contact information.
•	Plan staffing arrivals/departures accordingly-be aware of road conditions, closings.
•	Please make sure that the snow does not block your dryer vents or Boiler vents, do periodic visual check outside of the house if snow drifts begin to occur.
•	Please make sure all emergency exits and sidewalks are clear, in case of emergency.

Each house must check in daily if a storm hits.
Please contact Linda Certo @ XXX-XXXX to check in.  We are going to monitor the needs of each house, and must do so daily. We must hear from each house by 11AM AND 9PM each day of the storm.  This is to determine level of support needed by each site.  Check in can be phone, email (lcerto@asfl.org) or text. This communication must clearly indicate status of residents and house’s functioning (power, phone, internet, staffing.)