Get Ready & Prepare

1. What types of hazards are most likely where I live, work, and go to school?
2. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
3. What is my shelter plan?
4. What is my evacuation route?
5. What is my family/household communication plan?
6. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Pets or service animals
• Households with school-aged children

Communication networks, such as mobile phones and computers, could be unreliable during disasters, and electricity could be disrupted. Planning in advance will ensure that all members of your household- including children and people with access and functional needs- know how to reach each other and where to meet up in an emergency. Important things to include in your emergency plan include:

• Phone Numbers: Post emergency numbers in a central place where they won’t be missed. Include the numbers for police, fire, poison control, school, work, child care and important relatives. Include your home address for quick reference since emergency respondents will need to know where to find you.
• Emergency Contact: It’s often easier to call long distance during an emergency. Choose an out-of-state relative as your family’s emergency contact. They’ll be the point person you call or text to explain where you are in the event of a natural disaster.
• Escape Routes: Go through each room of your home and plan the quickest and safest escape route. Make sure each member of your family knows the plan for each room. Practice the plan, so they know how to act should they need to make a quick escape.
• Emergency Meeting Spots: Choose three spots, just to be on the safe side. In case of fire, elect one place near your home. Select another spot outside your neighborhood (such as the fire station or a relative’s home). Pick one out-of-town location in case you need to evacuate.
• Pet Plan: If your family has pets, include your four-legged family members in your emergency plan. Make sure you have any necessary pet carriers and plenty of food and water on hand to take with you. Learn More about planning for pets and animals in emergencies.
• Important Documents: Put your important documents in a plastic bag. Keep the bag in a fireproof and waterproof box for easy grabbing if you have to evacuate. Learn More about which important documents you should include.
• A “Go-Bag:” This ready-to-go supply kit can help your family leave home quickly. Learn about what to include in your go-bag.

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use it as a guide to create your own.

Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan in English or Additional Languages

Family Communication Plan Fillable Card in English or Additional Languages

Family Disaster Plan Template in English or Spanish

Preparing your family for a disaster involves more than just creating a plan. Each family member, especially children, needs to know exactly what to do during an emergency. Here are some helpful suggestions to communicate the importance of disaster preparedness to your family.

• Designate Roles: Give everyone in your family a responsibility. Each family member is an integral part of the plan and each has an important contribution.
• Role-Play: Younger family members may be easily upset if they see a parent worried or panicking. Spend an afternoon pretending an emergency has occurred and allow everyone to practice their designated roles. This will help your family be better prepared for the rush of emotions they may experience during a disaster.
• Visit Emergency Meeting Places: Make certain your family is familiar with your designated emergency meeting places. Assist family members in recognizing landmarks (i.e., buildings, signs, curiously shaped trees or other landmarks, etc.) to help remind them of where they are or where they should be going. Ensure all family members memorize emergency rendezvous location addresses.
• Introduce Your Family to Emergency Contacts: Young children may not be comfortable talking with strangers, even strangers their parents have designated as safe. Introduce your children to emergency contacts and explain their role in your family’s emergency plan. Instruct children regarding safe authority figures, such as firemen, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, etc.
• Practice: Regularly quiz family members about the family’s emergency preparedness plan. Make it a game for younger children. Who’s our local emergency contact? Where do we go when there’s an emergency? Who’s responsible for watching the dog? What is our address? What are the phone numbers you will call? What will you do if we get separated? Where is the emergency kit stored and what is in it? Where is the water stored? How do you use a cell phone or landline? The more the family practices the plan, the better family members will be able to recall what to do during an actual emergency.
• Point Out Emergency Essentials: Be sure everybody in your family knows the location of your Emergency Supply Kit. Keep your Emergency Supply Kit in one place, if you move it, let everyone know the new storage location.
• Be Honest: Everyone in your family will have questions about preparedness. Take the time to address questions, concerns, and fears, honestly and factually. Discuss mental health concerns, evacuation, sheltering, and returning home. Emphasize, although the situation may be difficult, and there may be loss and/or sadness, the family has made and practiced the plans to survive and recover from any disaster situation.