At the minimum, distribute a sheet to staff with contact information for staff members and contractors (e.g. plumbers) to call if there is a facilities problem.
Must have staff training for emergency kits. Include:
Where kits are located.
How to access them.
How and when to use the material in them
Can do a table top exercise on how to use some of the material and what to do in case of leak, flood, or bigger issue.
Basic emergency kits are inexpensive. Create your own with supplies from hardware stores and vendors rather than buying preassembled kits.
Decide whether you want kits to be in a secure location or accessible
Accessible location means that it will be easier to get to in an emergency, but more likely to have material taken from it, so need to check often.
Do not put expensive items in kits if they are easily accessed.
UAlbany uses plastic bins with holes drilled through the top and bottom, and closed with zip ties that can be cut when need to get supplies. This makes them easy to access but discourages casual use. Also easy to tell when someone had been in bin so can check what needs to be replenished. Put date on zip tie so know when last checked.
Kits should be focused on small disaster events that can be dealt with in 24-48 hours. Larger events will need outside resources.
Bulldog clips, plastic sheeting, and a list of kit contents are three vital components. See meeting slides for detailed lists of possible contents.
Do not need all items in your kit, but should know where you can get them when needed.
Organizations in the same community can partner to buy a stash of supplies that all have access to, especially items that are more expensive or are not needed as often.
Batteries should be stored outside of flashlights in the kit.
Wax paper in sheets rather than rolls is easier to use for interleaving and packing water-damaged books. May be able to find in restaurant supply stores and stores like BJs.
Do a full inventory of what is in disaster kits every 2 years and replace things that have deteriorated and can no longer be used.
Don't save big boxes for packing damaged items. Wet items are very heavy, so boxes can't be too big.
University at Albany has a large supply of cubes used to pack damaged materials, so contact Karen or Ann if you need any.
