How to prepare for an emergency.
Neighborhood Plan
You’ve met your neighbors. Now it’s time to put together an emergency plan. Working together to be prepared will help create a better plan.
Organize and announce a neighborhood meeting.
- If possible, add your emergency planning activities to an existing community or neighborhood meeting
- Use community news websites and newsletters, pass out flyers, and post in public places
- Use existing tools to create a neighborhood emergency plan
- Emphasize the need for everyone to work together
- Have follow-up meetings
Create a neighborhood map.
Create a map that shows the following details:- Point out key community services and resources that can provide support
- Identify community members that have training or skills that can provide support before, during or after an emergency
- Identify the location of community members who may have additional needs including families with small children, people with pets, the elderly or those who need help to walk or move
- Choose a neighborhood gathering or evacuation site
- Create a neighborhood contact list with addresses, phone numbers and emails
Household Plan
In addition to a neighborhood plan, each household needs its own plan. This lets everyone in the household get involved and know what to do in an emergency.
- Prepare an Household Emergency Kit that meets the needs of your family including additional needs of children, the elderly, and any pets
- Know the location of your kit and include a plan with important
information such as a neighborhood map, emergency contacts,
evacuation routes/emergency exits, the location of the gas
shut-off valve, water main shut-off valve and electrical circuit
breaker box
- Practice your plan and keep your Emergency supplies updated