Pandemic Flu

Preparedness

• Individual and Family Preparedness
• How to Care for a Sick Family Member
• Preparedness Planning Checklists for Groups and Organizations
• Preparedness Planning for Colleges and Universities

Individual and Family Preparedness

With many emergencies and natural disasters, preparedness is the key to improved outcomes. Part of pandemic flu preparedness is staying informed, staying healthy, and getting an annual flu shot.

The pandemic wave is expected to last from 6 - 8, or possibly up to 12, weeks. The pandemic is predicted to cause major disruptions to life as we know it.

It is recommended that we stockpile certain essentials, such as:

• water (one gallon per person per day)
• food with a long shelf life (canned meat, fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, cereal, granola, rice, peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, cookies, juices, sugar, salt, spices, baby food, formula, and other staples)
• medicines (OTCs, including those for reducing fever and anti-diarrheal, vitamins, and prescriptions)
• basic house old necessities (including toilet paper, tissues, feminine hygiene supplies, diapers, garbage bags, plain bleach, soap and detergent, batteries, portable radio, flashlight, manual can opener)
• first aid supplies, (masks, gloves, thermometer, first aid kit)
• pet food and supplies
• cash on hand in small bills

There are a variety of excellent web sites to guide personal and family emergency preparedness.

• Mainflu.gov: Information for Individuals and Families
• Pandemicflu.gov: Individuals & Families Planning
• Pandemicflu.gov: A Guide for Individuals and Families
• Pandemicflu.gov: Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families
• Pandemicflu.gov: Family Guide, Checklist, and Information Sheets (multilingual)
• Ready America
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Maine Emergency Management Agency
• MEMA: Maine Prepares
• American Red Cross of Southern Maine
• American Red Cross of Southern Maine: Disaster Supplies Kit
• American Red Cross: Prepare for Disasters Before they Strike: Build A Disaster Supplies Kit
• American Red Cross Prepare.org (multilingual)
• Flu Wiki: Personal Pandemic Preparedness
• Flu Wiki: Personal and Family Preparedness
• Flu Wiki: Preparedness List

How to Care for a Sick Family Member

• www.redcross.org/news/ds/panflu/careforothers.html (See Home Care for Pandemic Flu .pdf)
• www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Consequences.LaymanTreatment
• www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Consequences.pandemicpreparednessguides ("Good Home Treatment of Influenza")
• Preparing for the Coming Influenza Pandemic

Preparedness Planning Checklists for Groups and Organizations

Preparedness planning checklists for a variety of groups, businesses, institutions, and organizations, including faith based organizations:

• CDC preparedness planning checklists

Preparedness Planning for Colleges and Universities

Preparedness planning for colleges and universities which have guided our planning at USM.

• CDC Checklist
• ACHA Guidelines
• Gallagher Blueprint for Colleges and Universities preparedness planning
• Campus Health