Building Resilience:
Emergency & Disaster Preparedness
Although National Preparedness Month took place in September, it's always a good time to ensure you're prepared for an emergency. Also referred to as Emergency Preparedness Month or Disaster Preparedness Month, this month-long annual campaign is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign. Its purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness in the United States, encouraging everyone to prepare for their disaster risks by taking control of their personal readiness and becoming more resilient. By taking simple steps, like those noted below, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:
- Set aside time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
- Hold discussions over a set time period so that decisions aren’t rushed, and everyone feels comfortable discussing the topic.
- Share the steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.
To get you started, we will share information about making a plan. If you already have a plan, this is a great opportunity to review and update it, if necessary.
Step 1: Create or revise your existing plan by discussing the following questions with your family, friends, or household members.
Step 2: Customize your plan to meet your unique daily needs and responsibilities. Consider the following factors while developing your plan:
- Different ages of members within your household
- Responsibilities for assisting others
- Locations visited often
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs (prescriptions, equipment, etc.)
- Disabilities or accessibility requirements
- Languages spoken
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
- Households with school-aged children
Step 3: Create or update your Family Emergency Plan
Step 4: Practice and review your plan with your family / household.
- Practice your fire escape plan by having a home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the home.
- Practice evacuating in the car with your animals, so they’re more familiar if you need to evacuate in an emergency.
Other related tips:
- Download a group texting mobile app so your entire circle of family and friends can stay connected before, during, and after an emergency.
- Contact your local water and power companies to get on a "priority reconnection service" list of power-dependent customers if you rely on electrical medical equipment.
- Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas in your home.
- Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area.
- Community Preparedness Planning Guides can be used to develop a community-based approach to preparedness.
