DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Learn which types of disasters could affect your local area, and make a plan today.
Step 1: Discuss disasters.
Hold a family meeting to talk through the following:
1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What are my evacuation routes?
4. What is my communication plan?
a. Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. Plan how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
5. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
6. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines.
a. Get cloth face coverings (for everyone over two years old) and disinfectants, and check my sheltering plan.
Step 2: Consider your family’s specific needs.
Tailor your plans to your family. Discuss your family’s needs and responsibilities and how people in your network can assist each other with communication, childcare, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment or businesses. Create a personalized support network for the areas where you’ll need assistance. Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:
- Disabilities or access and functional needs, such as mobility equipment
- Medical needs, such as prescriptions and medical devices
- Responsibilities to assist others
- Ages of household members
- Education for school-age children
- Dietary needs
- Languages spoken
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
- Locations frequented
Step 3: Produce your plan.
Download and fill out the family emergency plan, or use it as a guide to create your own.
Step 4: Practice your plan.
“Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.” – Unknown
Resources
Don’t reinvent the wheel! Use the templates below: