Emergency Preparedness Information

If calling from  outside Chatham County, call 919-542-2911.

• Chatham County Emergency Management: (https://bit.ly/3djWVah) 297 West Street, Pittsboro, NC, Non-emergency contact number 919-542-8180 only 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Visit their website and explore their important resources.
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety – ReadyNC: Plan. Prepare. Stay Informed. (https://bit.ly/3dliSWv). On that site, you can download their free mobile app, which supplies up-to-date information during declared major emergencies.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) North Carolina Disaster Declarations, preparations, and assistance before, during, and after a declared disaster: (https://www.fema.gov/).

• Consult this excellent safety guide on how long refrigerated and frozen food should be safe to consume after a protracted power outage:  FDA GUIDE TO WHEN TO SAVE FOOD AND WHEN TO THROW IT OUT (http://bit.ly/2sGevAV).

BE PREPARED

For related information, click “Health, Safety and Security” and “FHA Forms you may need” under the “Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA)” menu tab on the FHA website. Here are some guidelines and a list of things to do and items to have on hand for emergencies:

1. Create an emergency plan.
2. Keep emergency supplies on hand and in a place that can be easily found.
3. Keep informed.

CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN

• Evaluate your personal needs and make an emergency plan so you can be better prepared for any situation.
• If family members are not together, determine a communication point and phone number contact where all can gather or call. It is also good to have an out-of-state contact phone number.
• Be sure all family members know where emergency supplies, papers, food, and water are kept.
• Get an emergency supply kit.
• Plan for shelter alternatives. Consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Only service animals may be allowed, e.g., a seeing-eye dog.
• Be alert to the Chatham County “Code Red” phone call notification system and be sure your phone number is registered. To verify registration, call 919-545-8163 or access the site at: www.chathamnc.org and search “Code Red”. Also, download the CODERed Mobile Alert app for your smartphone. In an emergency, the county will send an automatic telephone message to all residents who have their phone numbers registered. It is desirable to include both your land line and cell numbers.
• Have a current File of Life form printed out and kept in a red magnetic envelope on your refrigerator.  The form can be found on the website by clicking on “Fearrington Homeowners Association (FHA)” and then clicking “FHA Forms you may need“, and the red magnetic envelopes are given out for free at the FHA Hospitality and Service Center and Fearrington Cares.
  

SUPPLIES TO HAVE ON HAND  (Be sure these can be easily found.)

• Regional smartphone weather alert apps for Apple or Android operating systems (offered free by WRAL-TV, WNCN-TV, ABC11 WTVD, The Weather Channel, etc.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries.
• Flashlights, matches (kept dry), extra batteries, and extra flashlight bulbs. Better yet use flashlights that require no batteries. Candles can be dangerous.
• Fire Extinguisher – Class A-B-C.
• Water: one gallon of water per person per day for 3 to 7 days for drinking and sanitation. Have reserve water on hand for ONE WEEK.
• Prescriptions, over the counter medications, eyeglasses (extra pair), and contact lenses.
• Food (3-to-7-day supply of non-perishable food is recommended plus a reserve) and a manual can opener.
• Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
• First Aid Kit – See contents in section below.
• Telephone – Hard wired and cell phone.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Blankets or sleeping bags and pillows.
• Moist towelettes.
• Portable generator if you require electricity for medical equipment.
• Pet food, water for your pet and pet supplies.
• Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Phone numbers and email addresses of key relatives and friends; pencil and paper.
• FHA Handbook and Directory (for phone numbers).
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, however your utility company will have to turn back on.
• Water containers and buckets.
• Cash.
• Local maps.
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you expect to be in cold weather.
• Keep your automobile gas tank as full as possible.

FIRST AID KIT

• Two pairs of latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to latex).
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
• Burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
• Thermometer.
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
• Scissors and tweezers.
• Tube of petroleum jelly, aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid.