Author: Kevin Parrish

Pre-Planning Check List Be Prepared to Shelter In-Place
Identify an interior room to be used to shelter in-place.
Identify how to close and lock all windows and exterior doors, and how to shut off all heating and air conditioning units.
Prepare a shelter in-place kit that contains duct tape, plastic sheeting, tape measure, and scissors. The kit should also have other family or office emergency supplies.
Identify how you will receive emergency information from local safety officials in the event of a chemical spill.
Develop a family or business emergency plan for all hazards.
Visit http://ncflepc.org/sip.html for additional information.

Adopted: February 16, 2017

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Evacuate or Shelter In-Place
If there is a chemical spill, you will be advised by local public safety officials which areas need to evacuate and which need to shelter in-place.
This depends on many factors including wind direction and speed, the chemical properties and the amount released, and the time available.
Many releases are short in duration and it can be safer to stay inside and not be exposed to the full strength of a chemical plume by trying to evacuate through it.

This information is approved by the North Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The LEPC has the responsibility to increase chemical emergency preparedness in our communities. This is accomplished through increasing response capability, promoting accident prevention, and educating the public.
Staff support is provided by the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, 2009 NW 67 Place, Gainesville, FL 32653.

Sheltering In-Place: Emergency Procedures
to Protect You and Your Family During a Chemical Spill

North Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee

How to Shelter In-Place During a Chemical Spill

Often the Safest Choice to Protect You and Your Family is Going Inside and Staying Out of the Plume

Move people and pets indoors immediately. Retrieve your Shelter In-Place kit if you have one.

Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.

..Turn off Ventilation System including all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close a fireplace damper.

Go to an interior room preferably without windows. An above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basement windows.

Seal the room using duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.

If you smell a chemical odor, use a wet towel to cover your nose and mouth. If your door is not sealed with plastic and duct tape, place a wet, clean towel under the door to block harmful vapors.

Stay off the telephones. Do not use the telephones unless it is a life threatening situation. This includes cell phones. Do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency. Your county may have a rumor control number that you can call for non-emergency information.

Monitor the news for emergency instructions. Depending on you community, this could include television, radio, or social media outlets. Keep monitoring for updates in emergency instructions. Local officials may call for evacuation or sheltering in-place in specific areas depending on the situation.

Continue sheltering in-place until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. When you are notified the threat is over, open doors and windows to ventilate your home or office. Replace any used supplies in your shelter in-place kit.