Gas Meter and Shutoff Valve

In the event of an emergency, locate the main gas service shutoff valve and shut off the gas.  Main gas shutoff valves are normally located near the gas meter

Outside Meters

• Gas meters and gas service shutoff valves are usually located on the side or in front of a building.

Cabinet Meters

• In some cases, gas meters may be located in a cabinet enclosure built into the building or located inside the building, with the shutoff valve located outside on a section of gas pipe next to the building.

Gas Shutoff

1. Use a non-sparking wrench to turn the valve clockwise one-quarter turn.
2. Valve is closed when it is crosswise to the pipe

Gas Turn-on

Natural gas flow should only be turned on by a licensed technician

Do not shut off the gas unless you:

            smell gas, hear gas escaping, 

                             see a broken gas line or
                                            suspect a gas leak.




If you are unsure whether a gas meter has a shutoff device, contact the gas service company.

Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide.

Electric Utility ShutOff

Electricity Shutoff

In the event of an electrical emergency, locate the circuit breakers or fuses and shut off the power.


Circuit Box

1. Switch off individual breakers
2. Switch off main breaker

Fuse Box

1. Unscrew and pull out individual fuses
2. Pull out main fuse block -- Use caution:  metal parts may be hot.

Electricity Turn-on

When turning the power back on turn on the main switch or breaker first, then screw in the fuses or switch on the smaller breakers, one at a time




Do Not Enter a flooded basement or standing water to shut off the electrical supply.  Water conducts electricity and you could be electrocuted.



Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide.

How To Size-Up

Photo from www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=2344

Before responding to a disaster, size up the situation.  Size-up is a continual process of examining and evaluation the damage in an environment.  It will enable you to make decisions and respond appropriately in the areas of greatest need.


CERT Size-up Steps

1.  Gather facts

• What has happened?
• How many people appear to be involved?
• What is the current situation

2.  Assess and communicate the damage

• What has happened?
• What is happening?
• What could happen (i.e., how bad could things get)?

3.  Consider probabilities

• What is likely to happen?
• What could happen through cascading events?

4.  Assess your own situation

• Are you in immediate danger?
• Have you been trained to handle the situation?
• Do you have the equipment that you need?

5.  Establish priorities

• Are lives at risk?
• Can you help?  Remember, life safety is the first priority!

6.  Make decisions

• Base your decisions on an assessment of the situation and in accordance with the priorities that you established.

7.  Develop a plan of action

• Create a plan that will achieve your priorities
• Simple plans may be verbal, but always write down more complex plans.

8.  Take action

• Execute your plan, documenting any deviations and status changes so that you can report the situation accurately to first responders.

9.  Evaluate progress

• Evaluate your progress in accomplishing the objectives in your plan of action to determine what is working and what changes you may have to make to stablize the situation.

Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide