Emergency Preparedness Response Division

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.

• 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