Emergency Preparedness 101: Get Ready For Any Emergency - a 4-week series

Emergency Preparedness 101

Get Ready

Week 1: Create an Emergency Action Plan

Your family’s safety is paramount during emergencies, and being prepared is the best way you can help yourself and your family for an emergency. By putting a plan together and practicing your disaster escape plan not only prepares you for fires, floods, tornadoes, etc., but also instills a sense of calm and readiness. This proactive approach is key in protecting the well-being of you and your loved ones. 

This week we’ll start developing a well-thought-out Emergency Action Plan, which is crucial for every household. Make sure to create your plan to address specific family needs and situations, ensuring everyone is well-prepared ahead of a disaster. We’ll also have a supplement available next week which covers specifics such as dealing with children, the elderly, or those with special needs. 

For Week 1, create a To Do list, and gather the information you’ll need to be prepared for any disaster. Look over the lists below and see if you have any of these items already put together. If not, now is the perfect time to start.

Pages 4 & 5 contain a form to fill out with the information listed below. You can make this a family activity and ensure all members of your household know the answers to the following four items. And make sure to share with others, as well. 

Your Emergency Action Plan should include:

• Meeting point:  A predetermined meeting location outside high-risk areas to determine who has evacuated from the affected area.

• Escape routes: Several escape routes, known to all in your household. Practice these often so everyone in your family knows where to go.

• Animal arrangements: Specific arrangements for pets and larger animals, like horses and other livestock.

• Communication plan: A family communication strategy names someone outside the area to be the main contact point for all family members if you get separated or have trouble with phone networks.

Pre-evacuation actions

Once you have the where and how, there are a number of things you should know and do before you’re in the middle of an emergency where you have to evacuate quickly. Review the following actions and see if you need to purchase any items such as a fire extinguisher or solar chargers for your satellite devices and cell phones (if they’re still working). 

Next week we’ll cover putting your Emergency supply kit or “GO” bag together, so jot down any personal items you or your family might need, such as a specific stuffed animal or other personal items that don’t show up on a generic list of supplies.

Get Ready

Fire extinguisher training: Do you have fire extinguishers in your home and do you know how to use them? Keep fire extinguishers in your home, and train your family on their use. Regularly inspect them for proper functionality and expiration dates.

Learn utility controls: Do you know where your utility shutoffs are located or how to turn them off if you do? Make sure everyone in your household knows where your gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are located and how to safely operate them in an emergency.

Create Emergency Supply Kits: Do you have an emergency kit, or “Go” bag ready to go?  Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit for each family member, as recommended by the American Red Cross, containing essentials for immediate needs. (We’ll cover this in Week 2).

Add a kit to your vehicle: Do you have an emergency kit, or “Go” bag already in your car? Store an extra Emergency Supply Kit  in your vehicle to ensure access to essential supplies if you can’t reach your home due to a wildfire.

List emergency contacts: Do you have a list of emergency contacts? Maintain a list of emergency contacts on your phone and on paper, easily accessible both in your home and within your emergency supply kits.

Access the latest updates: Do you have a way to stay informed when power and cell phones go down?  Use a portable radio, scanner, or satellite device to stay informed about the current situation for timely decision-making during emergencies. Make sure you have extra batteries, and check monthly to ensure your devices are fully charged and functioning.

Share this action plan with your friends and neighbors to promote community-wide emergency preparedness. Make sure to include your neighbor’s phone numbers on your Emergency Contact list.