Communal Safety Plan (PCS): What to do in the event of a crisis situation in municipalities?

In this article, find the three key points to consider when preparing a Communal Safeguard Plan (PCS).

• SEVESO companies: These are businesses involved in the handling, manufacturing, use, or storage of hazardous substances (refineries, (petro)chemical sites, oil depots, etc.).

Food,solutions tailored to your need

It's not always easy to manage, especially when you're in a group and need sufficient quantities. In the event of a major accident, access to food may be compromised. Therefore, preparing reserves in advance becomes essential. Today, there are food solutions that offer extra-long shelf lives and minimal storage space requirements.

The need to prepare reserves in advance is therefore unavoidable. Today, there are food solutions that offer extra-long shelf lives and minimal storage space requirements

• Freeze-dried meals : with a shelf life of 2 to 8 years from the date of manufacture, individual portion recipes are varied and can accommodate dietary restrictions (gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.). For groups, there are boxes containing multiple portions with a shelf life of up to 25 years. In terms of use, hot water is required to rehydrate the meal (the amount of water is indicated on the packet or box, and it's possible to eat directly from the pouch or distribute the contents of the box into bowls).

Additionally, there are custom packs available that contain individual pouches to facilitate the distribution of food

• Self-heating meals: In cases where heating water is difficult, this solution is ideal. These are sterilized meals accompanied by a flameless heater. No stove, fire, or gas is required, just a little water (or another liquid) to activate the heating system. Many recipes are available and can be adapted to different dietary needs. Their shelf life is 1 to 3 years after the manufacturing date
• Compact rations: These are particularly suitable for emergency situations as one ration equals one day’s worth of food. They contain all the necessary nutrients to restore and maintain the essential functions of the human body in a very compact biscuit. The rations are suitable for both children and adults and are ready to use without preparation or heating. They have a shelf life of 5 to 20 years.

Depending on each solution, Freezedried & Co offers custom rations or kits tailored to your needs (number of people, days, shelf life, packaging, etc.)

Hydration, essential for survival

Equally important: water. To stay hydrated and rehydrate freeze-dried meals, several options are available to you. You can prioritize water in barrels for its many advantages:

• It is perfectly waterproof, even in the case of impact.
• It is ideal for groups thanks to its faucet – making it easy to distribute the water.
• It can be stored for about ten years.

There are also packs of 24 sachets of 125 ml (for a total of 3 liters) or 120 sachets of 125 ml (for a total of 15 liters), which can be more convenient for easy transportation in case of need or to add to your evacuation bags.

In both cases, the water lasts for a minimum of 5 years, unlike plastic bottles which can only be stored for 2 years. This is practical for managing stock and avoiding frequent rotations.

First aid supplies, to assist and treat injuries

Having a first aid kit and equipment with you in case of an incident will allow you to help and treat certain injuries. Here is a non-exhaustive list of supplies to consider:

• Sterile compresses
• Disposable gloves
• Rounded-tip scissors
• Bandages
• Medical tape
• Survival blanket
• Elastic bandages
  ...

Additionally, it is important to think about having a portable radio with you to stay informed about the situation.

We also recommend carrying a whistle to signal your presence to rescuers if you are lost in the middle of nowhere.

Lighting and energy needs, equipment not to be overlooked

Today, more and more flashlights not only allow you to light up your surroundings, but also serve as alarms to help you alert others. As for headlamps, they offer greater freedom of movement. In both cases, they often come with a rechargeable battery to avoid running out of power too quickly.

Let’s not forget about glow sticks: a great alternative to signal rescue teams, or simply to provide a small light source for illumination.

For energy needs, think about portable power banks to recharge devices like your phone multiple times

Evacuation kits, from the NGO Secouristes sans Frontières

Summary

As you’ve understood from reading this article, it is important to be well-prepared in advance for a crisis situation:

These many points can also apply to the implementation of a Specific Safety Plan (PPMS) – intended for schools.

Info: If you are a municipality, a public institution, or a business, it is possible to order via administrative mandate.