An emergency plan is an essential tool to survival when faced with a disaster. However, the need for making such a plan is often overlooked or put off by many individuals. Don’t be caught off guard. Know that having an emergency plan can save lives, when in the midst of a disaster, and then plan accordingly.
There are many different ways that you can plan for disasters. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other disasters can be planned for specifically and separately but here are some tools and resources to help you be better prepared for disasters in general.
First and foremost, the mind is the most important tool when you need to survive a disaster so, stay calm. Knowing your emergency plan, having a printed copy of it handy, and having your emergency supplies stored safely nearby will help alleviate some of the anxiety that you will most likely experience during a disaster. Being organized and being able to think rationally not only helps to conserve energy and time, it increases your chances for survival.
DRAFTING YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN
FEMA Provides a generic emergency plan template at www.ready.gov or you can create your own custom plan to best suit your daily needs. All emergency plans should include the following:
Personal information for you and your household – names, birth dates, social security numbers, and phone numbers.
Medical information for you and your household – conditions, allergies, medications, contact information for your doctors, and contact information for your pharmacy.
Insurance information – names, phone numbers, and policy numbers for the insurance companies that provide coverage for your home, vehicles, medical needs, and prescriptions.
Bank information – name, location, and phone number of the bank where you may need to withdraw cash from your accounts, along with the account number.
Evacuation locations, procedures, and phone numbers of any home, place of work, daycare, and school that you and your household frequent. You and your household should know exactly where to find each other should disaster strike while one or more of you are away from home.
Emergency contact names, numbers, and addresses of friends and/or family members that can help you in the event of an emergency, for those that you rely on to care for your daily needs, and for those that rely on you to help care for their daily needs.
Specific personal needs for yourself, for your household, and for anyone that relies on you for care. This should include any special instructions or information regarding dietary needs, medical needs, medical equipment, medication schedules, and any other special needs that may need to be met during a disaster.
PREPARING YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
Store at least 3 gallons of water per person and at least a 3 day supply of nutritious nonperishable food. Canned food that requires little to no preparation or additional water is ideal.
Other recommended emergency supplies include, but are not limited to, batteries, a battery operated radio, toiletries, eating utensils and a can opener, paper and writing utensils, a first aid kit and first aid book, a flashlight, a local map or atlas, dust masks, large sheets of plastic, duct tape, plastic bags, moist wipes, twist ties, cell phones and chargers, cash, blankets and spare clothing for each person, plain household chlorine bleach, and waterproof matches.
Emergency kits can also be purchased at www.redcrossstore.org.
For additional information and resources regarding emergency preparation, surviving disasters, and for where to seek help during a disaster, please visit www.redcross.org, www.ready.gov, and/or the local emergency management office in your area.