Thomas Becker, an OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources educator in Lorain County, wants to know if people are prepared in the event of an emergency at home or on the farm.

“During a recent conversation with some of the fine folks with the Lorain County Emergency Management Agency, I got to discussing the county’s preparedness for agricultural emergencies,” Becker said in a news release. “There is never a bad time to make sure you have plans and procedures in place and that family, friends, employees or anyone else is all aware of those plans and procedures in the event of an incident.

“At home, our emergency plans can be simple, but it’s still good to make sure everyone knows what to do in different types of emergencies.”

For example, where to go in the event of a severe storm or tornado, what your fire escape routes are, everyone knows how to contact 911 and who to contact in addition to 911, Becker said.

Organizations like the American Red Cross and others offer advice on making emergency plans and what to consider when discussing these kinds of things with your family, he said.

On the farm, you’ll likely need to include more details than in an emergency plan for your home, Becker said.

Tips to include in a farm emergency plan

Farms are often complex systems with multiple buildings, access points and various hazards, Becker said.

While you may know the ins and outs of your farm or where everything is, it’s a good idea to map things out so that a family member, employee, or first responder can more easily locate valuables in an emergency, a he said.

Having a map showing access points such as roads, lanes and driveways can be helpful, Becker said.

The map should also include all buildings on the farm showing where fences and gates are located, where animals are housed, where hazardous substances are stored, and where utility shutoffs can be accessed.

In addition to a map, a list of the farm’s entire inventory would also be helpful in case things are lost or destroyed during an emergency, Becker said.

These include machinery and equipment, species of livestock and number of employees, types of crops and number of acres, and other items such as fertilizer, medicine and fuel, he said.

“As you create your plan of action, be sure to find escape routes, both for people and animals,” Becker said. “Include the best shelters for both humans and animals.

“Consider compiling and posting an emergency contact list. While 911 may be the first call, think about who else might need to be on that list, such as your vet, your utility company or your neighbors.”

While building these resources, it’s also a good idea to review your insurance coverage with your agent and determine what emergency supplies you have, Becker said.

You should have some of the basic tools and equipment needed to deal with certain emergencies, such as fire extinguishers, generators and emergency kits, he said.

“This process can be time-consuming, but your efforts will be well worth it,” Becker said. “The end goal is not just to have a map or a binder that stays on the shelf.

“Whether it’s with family around the dinner table or during a meeting with employees, you should periodically take time to review your plans and procedures. There is a saying that goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

“Hopefully the time and effort spent on an emergency action plan prevents problems from happening, but when they do, you know you’ll be prepared. Ohio State University’s Agricultural Health and Safety Program is a place to go for more information and resources related to farm safety.”

For more information, visit https://agsafety.osu.edu/.

Thomas Becker is an OSU educator in agriculture and natural resources in Lorain County and can be reached at 440-326-5851 or [email protected].