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Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency
Red Cross & Hawai’i County Civil Defense
Emphasizes Hurricane Preparedness
With Hurricane season here the
American Red Cross in Hawaii and Hawai’i County Civil Defense emphasizes the need for
everyone to be prepared.
The American Red Cross recommends
three simple actions anyone should take to “Be Red Cross Ready” for disasters
and other emergencies: 1) Get a kit, 2) Make a plan and 3) Be informed. These three
steps will help protect your family, strengthen our community, and potentially save
yourself time and money.
One critical reminder to everyone, if
you evacuate to a hurricane evacuation shelter there most likely will be no
amenities. This means no food service, established sleeping areas or supplies.
Hurricane Evacuation shelters simply provide safe shelter to ride out the storm and may be
limited to standing room only. It is critical that everyone take the time now to
follow these steps to prepare.
Assemble a Family Disaster
Supplies Kit
When a disaster strikes your
community, you may not have access to food, water, electricity and other essential
supplies for days, or even weeks. A disaster supplies kit should include
non-perishable food and bottled water (one gallon per person per day) for a minimum of 5-7
days, non-electric can opener, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a
battery-powered radio, tools, extra clothing and bedding, prescription and
non-prescription medications, pet supplies, cash, sanitary supplies, copies of important
papers, contact information, maps and other special items for infants, pets, and elderly
or disabled family members. This kit should be in an easy-to move container so that it can
be used at home or taken with you in the event you must evacuate.
Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Disasters often strike quickly and
without warning and, when they do, often leave a wake of chaos and emotional trauma.
People should determine their actions before a disaster occurs. Planning ahead of
time makes it easier to make decisions in a potentially stressful time and helps to know
what to do if separated from others in the household. Families can – and do -
cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. They do
this by deciding in advance what they will do when their daily routines are disrupted by
an emergency. Planning what each person is to do, where each will go, and how they
will get there makes a big difference. Identify ahead of time where you could go if
you are told to evacuate. Choose two places—one place within your neighborhood and
one outside of your neighborhood, maybe a friend's home. If advised to evacuate, do
so immediately. In case you have to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter, be sure to bring your
family disaster supplies kit along with bedding. Be sure to also make advance
preparations for your pets and people with special health needs like children, frail,
elderly and people with disabilities.
Be Informed
It is important that people learn
about what disasters or emergencies may occur where they live, work and play.
Learning vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR/AED can help people take care
of their loved ones after a disaster occurs and can equip them to become resources to
their communities. We also encourage people who are interested in helping out during
a disaster to take free disaster training from the Red Cross and find out how you can help
with sheltering, mass feeding, health services, crisis counseling and client casework.
More details are available at www.hawaiiredcross.org.
A variety of ready-made disaster kits are available for purchase and a schedule of
lifesaving classes are online. Getting prepared doesn’t have to be expensive or
time consuming. Preparing for the unexpected has clear personal benefits, and
when everyone prepares, the benefits extend to our entire community. We hope you will do
your part by taking three simple steps to “Be Red Cross Ready” during this
Hurricane Season
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From the Hawaii State Department
of Health Communications Office - H1N1 FAQs
5-12-09
H1N1 Influenza: Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
1. What is H1N1 flu (swine flu)?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on)
is a new influenza (flu) virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first
detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico
and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus.
2. Is the new H1N1 flu here in Hawai‘i?
Yes. H1N1 flu cases have been reported in
Hawai‘i. For the most updated case count of laboratory confirmed H1N1 infections in
Hawai‘i and the rest of the United States, visit the CDC website,
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
3. Is this new H1N1 flu contagious?
Yes. This virus is contagious and can spread from
person to person much like seasonal flu.
4. What are the signs and symptoms of the new
H1N1 flu?
The new H1N1 flu illness is similar to the regular
flu. The symptoms include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Some patients also have diarrhea and
vomiting.
Like the regular flu, the new H1N1 flu may cause
chronic medical conditions to get worse.
5. Is there a vaccine against the new H1N1 flu?
Scientists are working on making a vaccine for this
new H1N1 flu, but it may not be ready for several months.
6. What can I do to protect myself from getting
sick?
Although there is no vaccine available right now to
protect against the new H1N1 flu, there are things you can do to keep from getting sick:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
(Kleenex) when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for
at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners
(hand gels) also work.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs spread this way.
7. Will the flu vaccine I received this year
protect me from the new H1N1 flu?
No. The new H1N1 flu virus is different from the
viruses in the regular flu vaccine it is not expected to give protection against it. It is
still a good idea to get the regular flu vaccine every year because it can protect against
seasonal influenza viruses
8. How do you catch new H1N1 flu?
You can catch the new H1N1 flu in two ways:
• By contact with a
person infected and still contagious with the new H1N1 flu. Person-to-person spread is
believed to happen in the same way as regular flu: by coughing or sneezing of people sick
with H1N1 flu. People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on
it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
• By contact with infected pigs or environments
contaminated with the new H1N1 flu virus.
9. How long is a person with new H1N1 flu
contagious?
An adult with H1N1 flu may be contagious a day
before they show symptoms of being sick, and 7 days after becoming sick. Children may be
contagious for 10 days after getting sick with H1N1 flu.
10. What should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, such as
fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should
contact your doctor. Your doctor will help decide if you need flu testing or treatment.
You should stay home and avoid contact with other
people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
11. What warning signs should I watch for?
If children are sick and have any of the
following signs, they should see a doctor immediately:
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting (not talking
or moving)
• Being very cranky, child does not want to be
held
• Flu-like symptoms get better but then come
back with fever and are more serious
• Bad cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, the emergency signs include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
(belly)
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Adults with symptoms listed above should see a
doctor immediately.
12. Are there medicines to treat H1N1 flu?
Yes. Prescription antiviral medications
(oseltamivir/Tamiflu or zanamivir/Relenza) are available to treat swine-origin flu, but
most illnesses seen in the United States have so far been mild and not everyone may need
to be treated with these antiviral medicines. Your doctor will be able to help decide if
you should take these medicines.
Medicines such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) and
ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil) can help make people with flu feel better. If you have a
medical condition such as liver, stomach, or kidney problems or take certain medicines
(such as blood thinners like coumadin) you should talk with your doctor before using these
medicines.
Children should avoid taking aspirin while ill with
the flu. Talk with your child’s doctor if they take aspirin for medical reasons.
13. Are these antiviral medicines available in
Hawai‘i?
Yes. Two main sources of anti-influenza medications
are available. These medicines are available through prescription if a doctor believes
their patient should be treated with the antiviral medication. (There is no ongoing
shortage of treatment medications.)
14. Is it safe for children to attend school or
childcare?
Yes. School closures are not currently being
recommended unless staff or faculty absenteeism affects a school’s ability to
function safely. Children who are sick with a fever and cough or sore throat should stay
home from school until they are well.
15. Is it safe for adults to go to work?
Yes. If additional cases of new flu are seen in
Hawai‘i, your employer may have plans for you to change your work schedule. If you
become sick, especially with a fever and cough or sore throat, you should stay home from
work until you have recovered. If your doctor suspects that you may have new H1N1 flu you
will be asked to stay home for at least seven days.
16. Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from
eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot
get this new H1N1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and
cooked pork products is safe.
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NEWS RELEASE
October 4, 2008
Contact person: Quince Mento, Civil
Defense Administrator at 935-0031
County Unveils New Mass Emergency Notification
System
The Hawai'i County Civil Defense
Agency has just acquired a new Mass Emergency Notification System, which allows for County
agencies to easily notify the public in the event of emergencies.
The City Watch is an electronic notification system
that can notify residents about evacuations or other emergency measures via phone or
email.
“This new system allows us more
flexibility and speed to notify communities of an impending or imminent emergency, with
appropriate measures for residents to follow,” said Civil Defense Administrator
Quince Mento. It will supplement the more
traditional means of communicating with the public such as radio broadcasts.
The system was purchased by State
Civil Defense and was given to the County as a pilot project, Mento said. The system uses maps with registered
residents’ phone numbers and addresses to target specific communities on the island.
“We can use a computer generated
map to focus on say, Waikoloa or Puako, to alert residents to evacuate in the event of a
brush fire,” Mento said. The system once
activated sends residents registered on the system a brief voice and email message. “This system will only be activated in major
emergencies,” Mento said.
Hawai’i County residents need to
register for City Watch notification messages by either mailing their contact information
to: County of Hawai'i Civil Defense Agency, 920 Ululani Street, Hilo, HI 96720 or online
at http://www.citywatchonline.com/CSBSignUp/HawaiiSignUp.asp
. To register, please give your name, street
address (no P.O. boxes, please), city, zip code, home phone, cell phone, cell phone
carrier and email address. The service is free
to all residents.
The pilot stage of the project will be free to the County, and
subsequent years the County will pay an annual fee of approximately $40,000. The system is used in numerous communities, notably
in California amid the recent spate of wildfires.
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