Page 18 - Perth County Emergency Preparedness Guide

Emergencies: Be Prepared

Farm Emergencies

Draw a farm site map and indicate: buildings and structures, access
routes (e.g., roads, lanes), barriers (e.g., fences, gates), locations of
livestock, hazardous substances, electrical shutoff locations, etc.

Make a list of your farm inventory, including livestock (i.e., species,
number of animals). crops (i.e., acres, type), machinery and equip-
ment (i.e., make, model #), hazardous substances (e.g., pesticides,
fertilizers, compressed gas cylinders, fuels, medicines, other chemi-
cals).
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, such as your veterinarian,
police, fire, paramedic services. insurance agent, etc. Make a list of
suppliers or businesses providing services to your farm; livestock or milk
transport, feed delivery, fuel delivery, etc. KNOW THE RISKS
Contact your insurance agent. Review your insurance coverage. Get MAKE A PLAN
additional coverage for “all-hazard” situations (e.g., flood, hail damage).
Stockpile supplies needed to protect the farm: PREPARE A KIT
Protecting your farm involves
a number of considerations:
• Sandbags, plastic sheeting, in case of flood family members, co-workers
• Wire and rope to secure objects or employees, buildings,
equipment, livestock, and
• Lumber and plywood to protect windows
crops.
• Extra fuel for tractors and vehicles Planning ahead for all-hazard
• Hand tools for preparation and recovery situations can help to mini-
mize the impact and speed the
• Fire extinguishers in all barns, in all vehicles
recovery process for you and
• A safe supply of food to feed livestock your farm.
• A gas powered or tractor PTO generator Gather information. What
disasters or hazards are most
likely in your community? For
Identify areas to relocate your assets (e.g., higher elevation), if needed. your farm? How would you
Plan for livestock and horses, tractors and equipment, feed, grain, hay, be warned? How should you
agrochemicals (e.g., pesticides, herbicides) prepare for each?
Remove or secure any loose equipment or materials, such as lumber,
fuel tanks. Prepare farm employees. Inform them of the farm’s
emergency plan; review it with them regularly. Identify shelter-in-place or
evacuation locations.
Establish a phone tree with contact information for all employees.

16 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDE - ARE YOU READY?