Preparation VS Panic

Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger—if we didn't feel it, we couldn't protect ourselves from legitimate threats. But often we fear situations that are far from life-or-death, and thus hang back for no good reason. Traumas or bad experiences can trigger a fear response within us that is hard to quell. Yet exposing ourselves to our personal demons is the best way to move past them.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/fear

Panic Button: Copyright: designsoliman / 123RF Stock Photo

Panic Causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily access the situation and see the options. -Simon Sinek-

Disaster and Emergencies will affect hundreds of thousands of people every year. Disasters will disrupt both people and property for possibly years to come.

As discussed in earlier posts, government and relief organizations will try to assist you, but you do need to be prepared to be on your own. Local First responders may not be able to get to you or they may have their focus elsewhere. (FEMA, 2004)

You do need to be prepared to act

Having a plan can reduce fear, panic, anxiety and loss. I am certain that you have heard of the term Fight or Flight. There is one more that is seldom mentioned, Freeze. Fight, Flight or Freeze. From experience I can say that each one of them when used appropriately can be a life saver and a game changer. If used at the wrong time or place they can become deadly.

Developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) will help relieve the three F’s.

During my tenure with the military we had a training maxim. Train the way you fight.

When you’re developing your Emergency Action Plan be realistic about your goals and how you will accomplish them. Through clear communication and realistic practice you will become capable and accomplished for the activation of your EAP.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that if you plan and prepare halfheartedly, and without conviction. You will react the same way. It’s a formula for disaster.

If you plan with clear goals and conviction. You will react the same way.

Once the trigger is pulled you will not have the luxury of thinking through the process. Responding the way you have properly planned for will usually pull your team through the situation. You will not panic.

Keep in mind that no plan is perfect. If you’re trying to make the perfect plan. Stop now. Having a plan, any plan is better that having none. If you have planned, and your plan is not working, you will have your alternative Course of Action (COA) to fall back on.

“Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us.” Richard I. Winwood

 

So how do we avoid Panic? We Plan.
 

Till next time  

“Be Safe”
  

How many Seasons are there in Florida?

Traditionally there are just four seasons to be had anywhere in the world. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. But in Florida we have five.

Five you say, yes Five. I can hear you now, asking what on earth am I talking about.

Hurricane Season. Officially the Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1^st and ends on November 30^th. Historically this is the time of year the year the most tropical cyclones appear in the Atlantic Basin. I do not mean to be flippant and imply the Florida is the only place at risk for Hurricanes. Historical Hurricane events over the last ten+ years would be kind enough to prove me wrong.

The below map shows all known tropical cyclones between the year of 1851 and 2012.

By Nilfanion - Created using User:jdorje/Tracks by Nilfanion on 2006-08-05. Background image from File:Whole world - land and oceans.jpg (NASA). Tracking data for storms is from the National Hurricane Center.[1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1023164

If a hurricane strikes, we can blame the president for not being there; we can blame Congress and FEMA; we can blame the state governments; but in the end, it's the mayors and the local city governments that have to be prepared for emergencies and be prepared to act.   - Michael Bloomberg

 

I picked this quotation because I feel that it portrays the thought process of most Americans today. Blame someone else. Really, you know I'm right.

In the end though it is our individual responsibility to be prepared for emergencies and be prepared to act.

When I asked several professionals in the emergency response industry, "Why are so few Americans (less than 40%) are prepared for the disasters, or emergencies that will happen sometime in their life?" The reply was, "We'll need a psychologist to answer that." Scary thought eh.
 
 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average American spends more money on entertainment each year than on practically anything else. The implication is that Americans in general would rather not have to think about, well much of anything. Especially those things that might harm them, maybe it will go away. Those very same people who fail to attend to their own needs are the very same ones who will bitch, whine, moan and groan about how unfortunate they are, and why isn’t everyone coming to give them the help they so desperately need.

 Statistically 60%+ of the adult population have done nothing to prepare themselves or their loved ones for the Disasters and Emergencies that will someday come. Are they are either scared, lazy or just don't care to do the right thing. There are some people that will fit into this category. But I don't think the majority of people are like that at all.

I believe that many people just do not know what to do or where to get started.

What if you could get a plan in place within the next two months? Would you do it?

Hurricane season is just over 60 days away. 60 days is more than enough time to prepare yourself, your family, and loved ones for something that we hope doesn't happen.


 So which one are you? Less than 40% or more than 60%. You have 60 days till Hurricane season starts. Go here and download the FEMA Are You Ready Guide to Citizen Preparedness:

https://www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide

This guide is an excellent free resource for starting your Emergency Action Plan.

Till Next time

"Be Safe"

 

  

You will be Alone

EMS will be stretched to the limit. Will anyone come to your aid? Will anyone be able to come to your aid?

Copyright: amasterpics123 / 123RF Stock Photo

"We realized that when a disaster happened, whether an earthquake, storm or terrorist activity, the people on the scene were actually the first responders and, in a major event, they were often the only responders for possibly long periods of time."

 - Frank Lucier, San Francisco FD Retired

Resources will immediately be directed to search and rescue, getting the roads open, hospitals open, restarting the infrastructure.

I am of the opinion that my name will not be on any master list that say. “Quick, go pull Daniel’s fat out of the fire. Nope, won’t happen. Though there might just be such a list, most of us are not on it. So what does that mean? We will have to fend for ourselves.


Unfortunately historical evidence has shown that many First Responders will abandon their posts during the onset and aftermath of an emergency or disaster. I have no intention to demean the valiant work these men and women do on a daily basis, but they are human. And they will be more interested in protecting their family and loved ones. Their very safety may be at risk because of civil unrest, or they will be frustrated by the lack of adequate resources that will allow them to perform as they want to. Hopefully some communities are developing resources that will enable the First Responders to remain on post knowing that their families and loved ones are safe and secure.

Sadly the 2015 movie San Andreas depicts the hero abandoning his post to rescue his family and loved ones. Obviously he did not have an Emergency Action Plan in place. Not a positive meme to portray as acceptable behavior.

Statistical evidence shows that First Responders are no more prepared to respond to a disaster that the general citizenry. (FEMA, 2016)

The general consensus in the Emergency Planning Community is to prepare for a minimum of three days isolation. That’s what most all of the handouts and checklists supplied by FEMA and the ARC say.

Will three days of meager rations and water be enough? I don’t think so. First of all, if you have been proactive and evacuated the affected area. Things might be better. Have you prepositioned couple of weeks of supplies at an offsite location? If you waited too long to leave you will be either sheltering in-place, or relying on a public shelter that might be up and running in your community. You won’t be alone then.

During the creation of your Emergency Action Plan you should be aware of the possibility that you and yours will be on your own until responding relief agencies can get you out. The infrastructure has been restored to an acceptable level. Or you can get to a safer place.

References

FEMA. (2016). Ready Responder. Retrieved March 23, 2016, from www.ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/responder

 

Till Next Time



“Be Safe”

Zika Virus

The Zika Virus seems to be the current biological threat on most people’s tongues today.

Copyright: WikiImages

During my tenure with the US Army, during the late 70’s through the 80’s we were preparing to fight a Chemical, Nuclear, and Biological war against the then Soviet Block in Eastern Europe.

Each of these scenarios have uniquely different Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP’s) to mitigate their effects. On the Biological front the best form of defense is being healthy. Yes I know, being healthy is not an absolute, but it is the best place to start when combating biological infections.

The next best protective factor is not to get bitten. What a concept. How do we do that?

Clothing, Long Sleeves, and Long Pants

Mosquito Netting where you sleep

Insect Repellant

I for one have never heard of the Zika Virus until just recently, I’m certain most of you have not either. Did Zika suddenly just become a fresh new threat to the human existence?  No. It was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika forest of Uganda where the first human cases were detected.

Prior to 2007 only 14 cases were reported. That may be because the symptoms are similar to other diseases and may not have been diagnosed correctly.

Of note - if a non Zika carrying mosquito bites an infected person, it can then transmit the pathogen to other people.

Go to The Center for Disease Control (CDC) for useful information; http://www.cdc.gov/zika/

Till next time

“Be Safe”

 

 

EVACUATE

Run from water, hide from wind.



Copyright; Daniel Kilburn

The emergency/disaster is barreling down on you and you still have some time before it hits, Hurricanes, Severe Storms.

The disaster struck without warning, Earthquake, Tornado, Technological, and Terrorist Attack.

You waited too long and now the aftermath is too severe to remain in place, Flooding, Damaged Infrastructure.

What choice do you have? Get out now.

If you have been building your Emergency Action Plan as you should be you have already identified one or more shelter locations outside of the affected area. Now you need to get your family and loved ones there.

 

Stay tuned into the local news on your radio or television if you still have power. If not that battery powered radio in your Disaster Kit will be useful. Local authorities will not ask you to evacuate unless there is a valid reason. When the evacuation decree is announced, go. Do not overthink it.

 

As a side note. I was conducting the EAP Workshop for a group of individuals a couple years ago. One couple brought up an incident during the 2004 Hurricane season. Their neighborhood was instructed to evacuate. By their own admission they scoffed at the neighbors who evacuated when instructed to do so. They overthought it and remained in place until it was too late. By the time they decided to leave they could not. Even though their neighborhood was on relatively high ground, all egress routs were flooded and they were forced to remain in place with no electricity or access to resources. Do not overthink it.

Course of Action (CoA)

Know the route of travel and follow directions. In this world of GPS everywhere it is still important to have a map available. Physical maps will assist you with routes that you may be unfamiliar with. Follow routes identified by emergency officials. Do not stray off of the recommend route even if you are familiar with the area. Those areas may be inaccessible or dangerous for reasons unknown. Local authorities are in contact with state and federal emergency management personnel. They will know the conditions of the evacuation routes, and you will be more likely to get to where you are going.

Keep a Full Tank of Fuel

On the morning of October 18^th 1989 I drove to work In Monterey, CA from my apartment in Castroville. It’s about a 15 mile drive one way. At the time I worked as a cook at a private school overlooking the Monterey Salinas Highway. Today was going to be an all-day shift Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I passed the gas station that I would normally stop at, I decided not to, I would fill up on my way home even though I was sitting close to empty.

At just after five pm I was carrying a full sheet pan of Halibut, the first of many balanced on my right hand and shoulder to the oven. Suddenly an odd rumble and someone picked up the building about 12 feet in the air and dropped it to the ground. Fish was flying everywhere and I was bouncing around on the floor like a ping-pong ball. In case you’re wondering, this was the Loma Prieta Earthquake.

The majority of the kitchen staff were scrambling to exit the building, but where I was (at the ovens) was almost at the farthest end of the building away from the primary exit. After ensuring there was no one left in the kitchen, I moved to the closest door I could find. And behold I was on a balcony 40, 50, 60+ feet above ground overlooking the Highway (Nope I never looked out that door before). Even though I was on the ground floor, this part of the building was on stilts. And the sound of a freight train was rushing toward me. I moved back inside and decided to shelter in the walk-in refrigerator. Worst case scenario I could eat my way out.

I have no idea how much time passed, probably was not that long. The aftershocks did not seemed to be subsiding and hanging out inside the refrigerator was getting less appealing, so I made my way outside to the courtyard. The ground of the pristine lawn was liquefied and rippling. Reminded me of a garden hose being snapped up and down, but on a larger scale. I was forced to go to my hands and knees or topple over.

After the dust settled, there were no injuries or apparent structural damage to the kitchen/dining area. The power was out and the maintenance staff was shutting down the gas lines as a precaution. We somehow managed to feed the 300+ students and staff by candle light with the food that was already prepared. We cleaned up the mess as best we could in the dark, and I started my drive home.

The drive was rather surreal, the only lights to be seen were the tail lights in front and the headlights passing me. I got to my gas station, pretty much on fumes. There were lights inside (lanterns) and cars at the pumps. But there was no gas to be had. The station tanks were full, but without electricity the pumps would not operate.

Fortunately one of the kitchen staff lived in my building, she was nice enough to drive me back and forth to and from work. Three days later electricity was restored and I was able to fill up the car. Since then I will not let my tank go below half full without filling up.

Moral of the story, don’t let your tank go below half full without filling up.

 

Protective Clothing

Wear clothing that will protect you, long sleeves and long pants. Sturdy shoes suitable for walking in. You might end up walking. Headgear, sunglasses, gloves and sun-screen.

Bug-out Kit

Minimum of 72 hours of food, water, clothing per person. Special needs resources. Cell Phone with a spare battery. Portable radio.

Other Considerations

One car, keeps the family together and lessens the need for more gas. It’s also one less car on the road.

Pets, don’t leave home without them. They should be included in your evacuation plan.

Predetermined Meeting Place. If your family is separated when it is time to evacuate, who is doing what, and where will you meet at. Are your Bug-Out Kits already in the car, or they hanging on some hook in your garage?

Children in school? Have a plan for who will pick them up.

Communications plan. Your predetermined out-of-town contact needs to be alerted of your itinerary to include routes and times. All family members should have contact information for this individual or individuals. To include, land line number, cell number, business number and email address at a minimum. Be aware that the local cell towers may be down or overloaded due to the volume of calls. Text messaging and email may be the best form of communication. A satellite phone might be a good deal also.

Keep in mind that my thoughts here are based on personal research and practical experience. I recommend that you research the usual suspects; FEMA, ARC Local OEM. For additional material on the subject of Evacuation.

Till Next Time

“Be Safe”

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



SHELTERS ARE PACKED

If the need comes to evacuate before or during an emergency or disaster you will need to find shelter.

 



Copyright: konstantinks / 123RF Stock Photo

 

Most communities have facilities identified as emergency shelters. These facilities are usually schools or other suitable publicly accessible buildings. Once inside you will probably only have 10 square feet of space per person and your possessions. Ten square feet is 1’x10’or 2’x5’.

 

Inside you may find food, water, sanitation facilities, a cot, pillow and blanket. Or you might not.

 

When searching for shelters in your community, a call to the local Office of Emergency Management (OEM) might produce a list of location that have been identified within your community. If so, then it would be prudent to physically locate them and learn the route or routes necessary to get to them if need be.

 

Keep in mind that last year’s shelter might not be on the approved list this year. There can be many reasons for this. Each shelter must meet a certification standard to be acceptable.

 

These standards are based on structural requirements for the facility based on their occupancy load and duration of use.

 

Wind Loads

 

Windborne Debris Impact

 

Foundations and Floor Slabs

 

Or, how much damage can the facility take before it fails.

 

Public shelter design criteria for Florida can be downloaded here;

https://www.google.com/search?q=Public+Shelter+Design&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

 

Other states may have different criteria depending on the shelter needs of the community.

 

Traditionally the American Red Cross is the organization that manages these facilities when needed. A phone call to your local chapter may be beneficial for locating these shelters.

 

Note; during my personal research in various communities I have found that some agencies will not disclose shelter locations prior to their need. This is usually community specific.

 

Be aware that pets probably will not be allowed within. If you have a service animal you will need papers proving it.

 

 

You will be housed with a large number of strangers and there will be the need for a certain amount of cultural etiquette to remain in the shelter. The food will meet minimum standards and the sanitation facilities will not be private.

 

If a public shelter is not your cup of tea, alternative sheltering may be necessary.

 

Shelter in place

 

Family/Friends outside of the affected area

 

Hotels/Motels outside of the affected area

 

Churches

 

Home Host Programs

 

 

Take a trip down memory lane and Google “Katrina Shelter”. Take a look at what might be in store for you if you live in a major metropolitan area and decide to wait until it is too late to leave.

 

Call your OEM and the ARC now to discover the facilities available and determine if you want to be there. If not make alternate plans now.

Till Next Time

“Be Safe”



Special Needs

What are special needs when it comes to preparing an Emergency Action Plan?

 For some people it might be the need to have a fresh squeeze of lemon in their ice water. If you Google the term Special Needs you won’t find a fresh squeeze of lemon there.

Special needs is a term usually used to describe individuals with medical, mental or psychological disabilities requiring special assistance. And this is not necessarily all inclusive.

Copyright: allegretto / 123RF Stock Photo

If you need a label to categorize these groups you may come up with concepts such as… Elderly, Visually Challenged, Auditory Challenged, and Mobility Challenged, Mentally Challenged, Medically Challenged, Pets and Service Animals, Children, Diabetics…

These individuals may have long tern/permanent needs. Or they might be short term/temporary needs.

Either way, you will need to plan for them.

 

Disability doesn't make you exceptional, but questioning what you think you know about it does. - Stella Young

The best way to start Special Needs planning is to identify the individuals’ functional abilities and absolute needs well before an emergency or disaster. Be aware of the during and after needs, as they will become crucial during the immediate response to the event. And after the event when resources may not be readily available.  

A hypothetical scenario could be that the electricity is out. It will be out for a week, maybe two, and Aunt Janice needs regular dialysis.

Some of the categories of needs will fall into… Medicine, Diet, Oxygen, Transportation, Medical Services, Electrical Devices, Personal Care Equipment, Pet friendly Shelters/Hotels – Motels. Care and feeding of your pets or Service Animals. Diapers for the baby.

Please keep in mind that I am not a Doctor, Nurse, Clinician, Veterinarian or Health Care Professional. The labels and lists provided are not all inclusive. These are simply my thoughts based on personal research.

During the Emergency Action Planning process consult with medical professionals and your County Office of Emergency Management to identify the resources that may be needed and available for your specific situation. If you discover something that is not going to be available, you need to fix it now.

A starting resource: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/897

Till Next time

“Be Safe”

 

 

 

DRINK WATER!!!

“Rehydrate or die, Drill Sergeant. Rehydrate or die.”

© Daniel Kilburn

During my tenure as a Senior Drill Sergeant I was charged as all Drill Sergeants are with the safety, health and welfare of the young men and women placed in our charge.

During their time with us these individuals are placed in situations that will tax their physical, mental and emotional core beyond anything they have ever witnessed in their lives, with few exceptions.

These individuals were placed in situations that if not managed judiciously, could cause serious injury and death. In this environment there are no accidents. Only failures to act accordingly.

 

One of the most serious and preventable injuries we are faced with are HEAT ILLNESSES. Heat illness falls under three headings

HEAT EXHAUSTION

HEAT STROKE

HYPONATREMIA "Water Intoxication"

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are the two most common manageable injuries. Hypernatremia is a byproduct of over hydrating and can be mistaken for Heat Stroke.

In our efforts to maintain proper hydration forced hydration is often implemented. I personally have 12 one hour hydration alarms set on my phone that activated every hour from 0700 (7 am) till 1900 (7 pm) though this was sometimes extended into the evening depending on the situation. As the alarm activated I would (if it would not cause great risk because of what we were doing) yell, DRINK WATER!!! The soldiers would then sound off with

“Rehydrate or die, Drill Sergeant. Rehydrate or die.”

And they would go to their Canteen or Camelback and drink water.

 

I bring this up because in a Disaster/Emergency situation your need for water will probably elevate. Waiting to drink water when your thirsty means that you are already dehydrated and at risk of Heat Injury.

 HEAT ILLNESS RISK FACTORS

Environment

Activities

Acclimatization

Personal Risk Factors

Don’t be the person that places your family and loved ones at risk because you don’t have time to keep hydrated.

A couple good resources to start with;

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/heat-stroke-symptoms-and-treatment

https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/hipss/pages/heatinjuryprevention.asp

Water is water. It is not Coffee, Soda, Red Bull, Amped, Beer, Wine, Ices Tea or anything else with an H20 base and additives. Make a list of everything you drink daily that is not water (H20). You will probably learn that you are not drinking enough water.

Depending on your source of information ½ to One gallon of water a day is the recommended quantity.

Go here to check your H2O need;

http://www.camelbak.com/en/HydratED/HydrationCalculator.aspx

Till next time

“Be Safe”

Course of Action (COA)

When you get around to developing your Emergency Action Plan you will need to develop alternate courses of action (COA’s) for every part of your plan.

Cooking

Gathering water

Evacuating

Sheltering

First Aid

Etc.

The important reason for having more than one way to do something is because your situation might demand it.

The primary reason behind everything you do should be the Safety, Health and Welfare of yourself, your family and loved ones. This is not negotiable.

Today’s Emergency

So today I am on my way home from work, driving down the highway with all of the other commuters, heading home, and minding my own business listening to an educational CD. Suddenly to my front is a slew of road rubbish. There does not appear to be anything too big or dangerous and evasion is not an option.  The speed, and proximity of surrounding vehicles would make a radical lane change more dangerous, I have to go over it.

Wham… suddenly the car is listing to the right and an unsettling grinding noise is coming from beneath the car. I of course am thinking the worse, blown transmission, damaged axel or drive shaft.

Fortunately the cars behind me witnessed something and are giving way so I can get to the right and out of the traffic (good situational awareness). I come to a stop on top of an overpass cars are blowing by me at speed and I need to wait for a break in traffic to exit the vehicle. The driver side door is about three feet from the moving traffic.

I make it out and see that the right rear tire is flat, no fluids leaking from the transmission, and the drive shaft and axel appear to still be true. Relief, the transmission, axel and drive shaft are probably OK…

So, what is my Primary COA? I can change the tire. I’ve a spare the tools and experience. But the room needed is just too narrow between the car and the guard rail, the two ton jack won’t fit correctly and give me room to jack up the car (yep I have one in the back cargo area just for this type of event). But I also have concerns that someone will think I’m in the far right lane and will want to pull over to pass those slower cars in front of them. Changing the tire is not an option.

Secondary course of action. I know that there is a tire shop about two miles to my front, I bought the tires their about four months ago, should I drive there? No I’ll ruin the Mag doing that.

Alternate course of action, call AAA.

 

Now I am waiting on AAA. I’m leery about sitting in the car for the reason mentioned above, so I decide to stay out and well to the front of the vehicle (emergency flashers are on). I cannot jump the guardrail to avoid oncoming cars because it’s a 40 or 50 foot drop to an unforgiving frontage road.

Fortunately the tow truck arrived within about a half an hour of my service call. Props to the AAA dispatcher. I told her of the possible risks where I was and she put me on a priority status. Oh, he had to wait for some time until it was safe to exit his vehicle also.

Within 10-15 minutes or so we are at the tire shop, my tire is in stock and my Roadside Hazard Warrantee (another tool) covers a good portion of the cost for a new tire.

So where am I going with this experience? I had an emergency, I knew the options available to me because I already had a plan, and I chose the COA that was the best under the circumstances.

If you have to pull the trigger on a COA and it misses, you will need to fire again and again until you hit the target, make sure you have enough ammo.

When creating your unique Emergency Action Plan, be the Negative Nellie. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Only with a well thought out plan will you succeed. Any plan is better than no plan.

Until next time

 

 

 "Be Safe"

 

 

Lets Play A Game

Down in the Risk Assessment Post I mentioned the number one Disaster that we face on a daily basis.

FIRE

The game I want you to play is;

How many ways are there to get escape out of the house? Or, what is our fire escape plan?

This is the perfect starting point for the evacuation sequence of your Emergency Action Plan. You are building one right?

If you have children it is very important to get them involved in the game, they will love it. It is entirely possible that they know some things about your house that you don’t. Have some fun.

So how this is game played?

1.         Draw a Floor Plan of your House/Apartment/Condo/Trailer etc.

2.         Find at least two ways to get out of every room in the house

3.         Identify where the “Meeting Place” will be.  Tree, Light Pole, Neighbors Yard, etc.

4.         Practice using each and every possible “Escape Route” by crawling to them to use them.

5.         Finish marking the Floor Plan with your usable routes and “Meeting Place”

6.         Practice a several times a year, at different time during the day, or night.

7.         Identify changes in your environment that may make a once usable route non usable, adjust your Floor Plan accordingly. Practice the new plan.

8.         Post the Floor Plan at eye level in every room in the house.

Below is a quick Museum quality rendition of my Floor Plan, Made it with the Paint program on the computer. I am certain that your budding Nine year old Picasso can probably do a much better job.

I recommend that you search for expanded information on the subject of escaping your home.



This game is intended just to get you thinking. I would be remiss if I was to imply that this is all that needs to be examined on the subject of a fire escape plan.

The internet is full of stuff. I like the American Red Cross page; for starters.

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/A-Home-Fire-Escape-Plan-Can-Save-Your-Life

 

It is straight forward and goes into some detail on multi-level abodes.

Bonus Question: If a Fire starts; how much time will you have to get out of the house?

Till next time.

 “Be Safe”