Emergency Preparedness

When a major emergency hits, a community can be impacted beyond their resources.

It is essential our communities be prepared for potential impacts, that a major emregency can create. From floods to earthquakes being prepared for an emergency may be your chance to survive until emergency services can arrive. Be prepared!

Emergency Checklist

• Find out which disasters could occur in your area.
• Ask how to prepare for each disaster.
• Ask how you would be warned of an emergency.
• Learn your community's evacuation routes.
• Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons.
• Ask your workplace about emergency plans.
• Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center.

• Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
• Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.
• Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
• Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room. Learn how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police, and fire.
• Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.
• Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).
• Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.

Pick two meeting places and be prepared.

• A place near your home in case of a fire.
• A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
• Take a Basic First Aid and CPR Class
• Keep family records in a water-and fire-proof container.

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack or duffle bag.

Include:

• A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.
• A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
• A change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• A first aid kit and prescription medications.
• An extra pair of glasses if used.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• Credit cards and cash.
• An extra set of car keys.
• A list of family physicians.
• A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices, such as pacemakers.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

For more information on being prepared go to www.ready.gov