Emergency Preparedness

Build an emergency supply kit that contains essential items to keep you and your family self-reliant for at least 72 hours without utilities, electricity, and water or without access to a supermarket or local services. The kit should contain essential items for families to include non-perishable food, water (one gallon per person per day), first aid kit, radio, flashlight, can opener, baby needs, cell phone charger and extra batteries, duct tape, matches, emergency contacts, and important papers, personal hygiene items, a complete change of clothes, disposable plates, cups and utensils, medicine, extra cash, blankets and pet/service animal supplies. Be sure to rotate supplies so they do not exceed their expiration dates.

Families may not be together when an emergency happens so the plan will allow families to develop a meeting place, establish an out-of-town contact, and gather essential information that would help them to stay connected in the event of an emergency. Practice your plan with regular drills and know your local evacuation routes. If a family member has a disability, contact your local fire department and/or police station now to inform them so that this information could be kept by these agencies in case of an emergency or disaster. For those that may be blind or visually impaired, predesignate someone to assist in case of emergency and have a plan in place if evacuation becomes necessary because public transportation may not be available during an emergency.

Learn about emergencies that could happen in your area and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during, and after an emergency.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility and it takes a whole community to prepare and respond to emergencies. Donate time to a local agency to contribute skills and expertise throughout the year as well as during times of community need.