EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Make a Plan
Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these four questions with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.
How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
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 the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some of 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
Step 3: Fill out a family emergency plan.
Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own.
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.
Kids
What Every Kid Should Know
Family name, address and phone number and an emergency meeting location. If the child is too young, fill out an emergency contact card and place in your child’s backpack or coat.
Emergency contact information.
How and when to call 911.
Never touch loose wires on the ground or hanging from poles. Emphasize that the wire is broken and could seriously hurt them.
How to identify the smell of gas and what to do in case of a gas leak. They should be told to tell an adult and leave the building.
What Every Parent Should Know
Find out what your child’s school does in the event of an emergency and know the school’s emergency plans.
Find out where can you pick up your child during an evacuation.
Ensure that the school has up-to-date contact information for you and at least one other relative or friend.
Find out if you can authorize a friend or relative to pick up your children in an emergency if you cannot.
Older Adults
Get Informed
Know what disasters could affect your area, which could call for an evacuation and when to shelter in place.
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local emergency station and monitor TV, radio, and follow mobile alert and mobile warnings about severe weather in your area.
Download the FEMA app to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.
Make a Plan
Next, determine any special assistance you may need and include in your emergency plan.
Create a support network of family, friends and others who can assist you during an emergency and share your disaster plans with them. Practice your plan with them.
Make sure they have an extra key to your home, know where you keep your emergency supplies, and how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine.
If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify backup service providers.
If you have a communication-related disability, note the best way to communicate with you.
Do not forget your pets or service animals. Not all shelters accept pets, so plan for alternatives.
Consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area.
Prepare an emergency kit for your pet.
Explore related information on individuals with disabilities.
Businesses
Preparedness Planning for Your Business
Businesses and their staff face a variety of hazards:
Natural hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
Health hazards, including widespread and serious illnesses like the flu.
Human-caused hazards, including accidents and acts of violence.
Technology-related hazards, including power outages and equipment failure.
There is much that a business leader can do to prepare his or her organization for the most likely hazards. The Ready Business program helps business leaders make a preparedness plan to get ready for these hazards.
Ready Business Toolkits
The Ready Business Toolkit series includes hazard-specific versions for earthquake, hurricane, inland flooding, power outage and severe wind/tornado. Toolkits offer business leaders a step-by-step guide to build preparedness within an organization. Each toolkit contains the following sections:
Identify Your Risk
Develop a Plan
Take Action
Be Recognized and Inspire Others
Hurricane Toolkit
Many parts of the United States, including Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas, Hawaii, parts of the Southwest, Puerto Rico, the Pacific Coast, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and territories in the Pacific may be directly affected by heavy rains, strong winds, wind-driven rain, coastal and inland floods, tornadoes, and coastal storm surges resulting from tropical storms and hurricanes. The Ready Business Hurricane Toolkit helps leaders take action to protect employees, protect customers and help ensure business continuity.
Inland Flooding Toolkit
Most of the United States is at some risk for flooding, so it is important that organizations, businesses and community groups understand the potential impacts.
Power Outage Toolkit
While a power outage may not seem as dangerous as a tornado or earthquake, they can still cause damage to homes, businesses and communities. Power outages cost the U.S. economy $20 billion and $55 billion annually and continue to increase each year (CRS, 2012).
Severe Wind/Tornado Toolkit
It is not just in Tornado Alley. Most of the United States is at some risk for severe wind and tornadoes.
Ready Business Workshop “How-To” Guide
This “How-To” guide explains how to plan for and deliver effective Ready Business workshops.
Additional Resources
FEMA Continuity of Operations Plan
Use this form to report the status of your business and any damages:
Disabilities, Access & Functional Needs
Get Informed
Know what disasters could affect your area, which could call for an evacuation and when to shelter in place.
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local emergency station and monitor TV, radio, and follow mobile alert and mobile warnings about severe weather in your area.
Download the FEMA app to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.
Make a Plan
How might a disaster affect you? Could you make it on your own for at least three days? After a disaster, you may not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore, so it is crucial to plan for the resources you use regularly and what you would do if those resources are limited or not available. Additional planning steps should include:
Create a support network. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit.
Be ready to explain to first responders that you need to evacuate and choose to go to a shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, personal assistant and your assistive technology devices and supplies.
Plan ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify your local or private accessible transportation options.
Inform your support network where you keep your emergency supplies. You may want to consider giving one member a key to your house or apartment.
Contact your city or county government’s emergency management agency or office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly in a sudden emergency.
If you are dependent on dialysis or other life-sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage.
Wear medical alert tags or bracelets.
If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information notes the best way to communicate with you.
If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep model information and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).
If you use assistive technology devices, such as white canes, CCTV, or text-to-speech software, keep information about model numbers and where you purchased the equipment.
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases, pictures or pictograms.
Keep Braille/text communication cards, if used, for two-way communication.
Preparedness tips for diabetics.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services online tool helps people locate and access their electronic health records from a variety of sources.
Plan for children with disabilities and people who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.
Get Your Benefits Electronically
A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:
Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online.
The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper checks. Call toll-free at 877-212-9991 or sign up online.
Build a Kit
In addition to having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should contain items to meet your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use on a daily basis and which ones you may need to add to your kit.
Tips for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
A weather radio with text display and a flashing alert
Extra hearing aid batteries
A TTY
Pen and paper in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language
Tips for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
Keep a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.
Tips for People with Speech Disability
If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep model information and where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictograms.
Tips for People with a Mobility Disability
If you use a power wheelchair, if possible, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair in addition to whether or not it is collapsible in case it has to be transported.
Show others how to operate your wheelchair. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible in case it has to be transported.
Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you are unable to purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations, or local charitable groups can help you with the purchase. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times.
Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if your wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof.
Keep an extra mobility device, such as a cane or walker if you use one.
If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.
Tips for Individuals Who May Need Behavioral Support
Plan for children with disabilities and people including individuals who may have post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.
This may include handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), sheets and twine or a small pop up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy, headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
Additional Items
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage and any allergies
Extra eyeglasses and hearing aid batteries
Extra wheelchair batteries (manual wheelchair if possible) and/or oxygen
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards.
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal.
Handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
Associated Content
Pets & Service Animals
Make a Pet Emergency Plan
ID your pet. Make sure your pet’s tags are up-to-date and securely fastened to your pet's collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home. Also consider microchipping your pets.
Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
Make a pet emergency kit. Download Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners for a full list of items to include in your pets kit.
Check out this quick list:
Pet food
Bottled water
Medications
Veterinary records
Cat litter/pan
Manual can opener
Food dishes
First aid kit and other supplies
Identify shelters. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets well in advance of needing them. There are also a number of guides that list hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point. Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers.
Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if they panic, they cannot escape.
Making a plan for your pets in case an emergency strikes will help ensure they will be part of your family for many years to come.
Supplies: When you are in a hurry, it is easy to overlook small and important items. Common items like pet food might not be easy to find right after a disaster. Trying new brands of food or not having a comfort item can make disasters more stressful for pets. Make a list of special items you may need in a disaster.
Water: Include one gallon for a medium size pet. That one gallon should last three days, but plan for more or less if your pet is very large or very small.
Food: Have three days worth of food in your pet’s emergency supplies. A large duffle bag or plastic tub with a lid makes a great storage place for an emergency food supply. Make sure your family, including pets, will have what they need when disaster strikes.
Shelter: Except for service animals, pets are not generally allowed in shelters. Make a plan to make sure pets are taken care of in a disaster. A disaster may happen while you are away from home. Your neighborhood may be evacuated or you could be trapped somewhere else and unable to get home. Consider asking a trusted neighbor to check on your pets if you cannot get home because of a disaster or emergency. You may also ask them to take your pets with them if an evacuation is ordered while you are not home. Make sure they are comfortable with your pet and that they know where to find leashes and other supplies.
Other Supplies: Along with the basics, think about these items:
Pet food and water
Collar with ID tags
Pet medication(s)
Pet carriers and leashes
Medical records from vet
Photos of your pet
Microchip information
First Aid: Take training in pet first aid. Many American Red Cross chapters now offer training in pet first aid. Training may also be available through your local humane society, kennel club or pet store. Check with your veterinarian to see what special items you may need to include in a first aid kit for your pets. If you travel with your pet, or if they are service or hunting animals, you may want to make a travel-sized pet first aid kit as well.
Weather Hazards
Where we go, they go. When we evacuate, they evacuate with us. They are an important planning factor and present us with a different slate of challenges and conditions. Below are tips that will help you prepare your furry family members for a disaster.
All hazards can be dangerous to pets, much as they can be to humans. Think through what hazards may apply to you and your family and how they impact your pet. Hazards could include, but are not limited to the following:
Flooding
Think through where you will go in the event of a flood and where your pet would go. Can your pet swim if water rises rapidly?
Severe Weather and Thunderstorms
Could your pet be impacted by severe weather and a loss of power?
Excessive periods of heat or cold can also affect your pet, so make sure to limit their time outside if the temperatures are extreme.
Excessive Heat or Cold
Excessive periods of heat or cold can also affect your pet, so make sure to limit their time outside if the temperatures are extreme.
Never leave your pet unattended in a locked car.
House or Barn Fires
Alert first responders that you have a pet in the home if your pet has not left the home.
Tip: Many sites offer decals for your doors and windows which you can use to indicate that a pet lives in the residence. Here is a link to a free one as an example.
Barns often contain flammable materials such as dry hay, bedding and wood so make sure to take steps to avoid barn fires, such as having your electrical appliances checked regularly and enforcing a no smoking policy in or near the barn.
Hurricanes
Think through your emergency plan and where you will evacuate with your pet. If you are sheltering in place, consider where you will go and make sure to bring your pet with you.
Tornadoes
Bring your pet with you to a safe location while you shelter in place. Identify a room, basement, storm cellar or safe room, or a small interior room on the lowest level of your building. Keep yourself and your pets away from windows, doors and outside walls.