Disaster Preparedness

The following information is provided for all property owners and landlords as guidance in assisting you in "advance preparation" of a disaster. Please do not wait until a disaster strikes. It might be too late.

We are not referencing minor accidents that may occur within a unit, but the type of disaster we make reference to includes, but is not limited to the following:

Major fires
Hazardous material incident
Flood or flash flood
Hurricane
Tornado
Severe winter storm
Seismic event
Community-wide/Ccty-wide power outage
Radiological accident
Civil disturbance
Explosion
Bomb threats
Terrorist activity
Hostage activity

We believe that you are concerned about the safety, protection and survival of human life as much as we are. Accordingly, if you do not have a Disaster Plan for your tenants, we encourage you to develop one as soon as possible. Notify your tenants of its content and, if possible, provide copies to tenants and to TCHAO. It is advisable to conduct periodic drills.

Additionally, we encourage you to have a specific plan for any tenants that may be elderly or disabled. This plan should be shared with these tenants and should require them to register with you or your management agent.

In the registration process the tenant should be required to specify the type of accommodation or assistance the person might need in case of a disaster, e.g., transportation, medical supplies, etc.

We encourage you to do the following:

Inform your tenants about your community's warning signals; what they sound like and what they should do when they hear them.
Make provisions in your plan for pets, if they are allowed.
Designate the location of emergency shelters.
Develop and disseminate to tenants an evacuation plan.
Make a list of emergency and business telephone numbers and disseminate them to all tenants.

Most importantly, if a disaster strikes, advise all tenants of the necessity to try to remain calm, patient and follow the instructions of their local officials.

Remember, in a disaster, emergency services cannot always get to everyone right away so stress the importance of each family trying to be as prepared as possible to help themselves.

If you have questions you may contact one of the Tarrant County Housing Counselors or Compliance and Quality Control.