Types of Emergencies

Emergencies

Get the facts about all types of emergencies that could affect you and your family. Learn about each threat and what steps to take to deal with it.

An emergency can happen at any time and in any place. Knowing the facts can help you be prepared for these emergencies and help you to stay safe.

• Biological Emergencies

  These include diseases as well as biological agents that may be used for terrorism.

• Chemical Emergencies

  These include harmful chemical spills and chemicals that are used in acts of terrorism.

• Radiological Emergencies

  These are emergencies involving the release of radiation that could harm people's health.

• Weather and Home Emergencies

  These are emergencies involving potential hazards such as winter weather, extreme heat, flooding, or carbon monoxide.

Biological Emergencies

Fact Sheets Related to the Following Topics

• Anthrax (malignant edema, woolsorters' disease)
• Fact Sheet on Cutaneous (Skin) Anthrax
• Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

  Information about flu viruses that occur naturally in birds. Includes links to related PDFs about bird flu.

• Botulism (food-borne botulism and infant botulism)
• Plague
• Smallpox

  This page also contains several links to information about smallpox and the smallpox vaccine.

Additional Resources

• Bioterrorism Agents/Diseases - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  This site has an A to Z index of agents used in bioterrorism.

• Influenza Pandemic - New York State Department of Health

  This site is where you can find information about pandemic flu including planning and educational materials.

• New York State Health Department/State Police Bio-Terror Prevention Protocols - Protocols for Mail Handling

  Guidance for businesses and organizations on how mail should be handled if contamination is suspected, including how to detect mail that may contain hazardous contents.

Chemical Emergencies

Fact Sheets Related to the Following Topics

• The Facts About Ammonia
• The Facts About Chlorine
• The Facts About Cyanides
• The Facts About Nerve Agents
• The Facts About Ricin

Additional Resources

• Chemical Agents - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  This site has an A to Z index of chemical agents.

Radiological Emergencies

Fact Sheets Related to the Following Topics

• Dirty Bombs

  This defines what a dirty bomb is, what its dangers are, and what you should do if you are near a dirty bomb explosion.

• Potassium Iodide (KI)

  This page includes links to information for the public about potassium iodide, which is used if people are exposed to radition.

Additional Resources

• Radiation Emergencies - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  This site provides information to help people protect their health in the event of an emergency involving the release of radiation.

Weather and Home Emergencies

• Weather Emergencies: Storms, Floods, and Power Outages

  This page contains many links to information about what to do before, during, and after any weather emergency.

Fact Sheets Related to the Following Topics

• Don't Be Left in the Dark - Weathering Floods, Storms and Power Outages

  This booklet was developed as a guide for homeowners and others who want to prepare for power outages and other consequences of severe weather events such as thunderstorms, floods, and winter storms.

• Fact Sheet: What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide

  General information on carbon monoxide: its sources, effects on the body, and carbon monoxide poisoning prevention.

• Keep Your Cool During Summer Heat

  This tells you what you need to know about the effects of hot weather and what you can do to keep cool.

Additional Resources

• Carbon Monoxide - Know the Hazards

  Tips on how to safely operate equipment that produces carbon monoxide, information on symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and carbon monoxide detector guidance.

• Danger! Using a Generator Indoors Can Kill You in Minutes!

  Guidelines on how to use a generator safely.

• How Close is Too Close for Portable Generators? - National Institute of Standards and Technology (video)

  On this site you can view a video on the safe use of portable generators.

• Cold Weather Advice
  • Cold Weather Tips

    Information about how to protect your health in very cold weather, how to safely keep your home heated, and resources for help if your apartment, school, day care, or work is too cold for comfort.

  • Worker Safety

    Worker safety and health during winter storm response and recovery operations.

• Hot Weather Advice

  Links to hot weather safety tips.

• Hurricane Safety Tips - New York State Emergency Management Office

  Information and tips about hurricanes and how to prepare for one.

• Lightning Safety Tips

  This booklet explains precautions you can take that can save your life during a lightning storm.