Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday

 

Many of our citizens are concerned about the possibility of an emergency such as natural disaster, act of terrorism, or disease outbreak. You can take steps now to help you prepare and be ready to cope if an emergency occurs. To help you prepare, we have provided actions which you can take in advance to protect yourself and your loved ones. There are two types of kits when preparing an Emergency Supply Kit. #1 a Shelter-in-Place kit which can sustain you and your family for two weeks. #2 an Evacuation kit which can sustain you and your family for three days. When determining what to stock in your Evacuation kit, consider items which have multiple uses. For example, a Multi-tool which has a knife, file, can opener, pliers, and snips takes up less space and weight than if you were to pack each one of those items separately.

 

Emergency Supply Kit

Food and Water

• Water—one gallon per person, per day
• Food—Non-perishable, 3 day supply

Electronics

• Flashlight-extra batteries
• Battery powered, solar, or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Cell phone with chargers/portable back-up charger

Health and safety supplies

• Clear trash bags, towelettes
• First aid kit, flares, chemlites,
• Bleach, iodine, hand sanitizer
• Personal medication (30 day supply) and other medical supplies, documents for any on-going medical condition
• Emergency blanket
• Toiletries to include toilette paper

You should also keep:

Family and emergency contact information

• Multipurpose tool with knife and can opener
• Matches in waterproof container
• Whistle, signal mirror, compass
• Sewing kit
• Important family documents, recommend scanning and saving to a USB drive allowing originals to be stored in a safe deposit box
• Extra cash, roll of quarters
• Local map(s) of the area
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Duct tape, 50ft of nylon cord
• Infant formula, food, diapers
• Pets-carrier, food, leash, muzzle
• Extra clothing, sleeping bag, blankets
• Toys, books, board games to occupy children and others

Make A Plan

Create a Family Communication Plan

Complete a contact card for each family member. Contact Cards should include all family members phone numbers along with friends or relatives to contact in case of an emergency. Choose an out of town contact for all family members to notify they are safe. It may be easier to make a long distance call versus a call across town during an emergency. Keep these cards in a wallet, purse, or backpack.

Identify a location in advance where all members of the family can meet in the event your home has been compromised by disaster.

Create a Family Preparedness Plan

Your family's plan should include situations when you are together or away at work or school. Plan for each possible disaster situation. Whether you have to evacuate your home or you need to shelter in place, have a plan ahead of time.

Your plan should address these considerations:

Primary and alternate evacuation destinations and routes.

Public Shelters

Shelter in Place 72-96 hours

Utilities shutoff and safety

Pets/service animals/livestock

Special dietary and/or medication considerations

Review these plans with all members of your family and update annually.

Stay Informed

It’s important that you and your family know what to do before, during, and after an emergency. This means understanding which emergencies are likely to occur in your area and specific responses to each one. Keep this website in your favorites and "Like" our Facebook page.

You can Register your phone to receive information about potential threats through text and voicemail alerts. Find more information on how to sign up for alerts in your area at: wireless.capcog.org/

Get Involved

Once you have prepared yourself and your family, get involved in strengthening your community. Join the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT actively involves citizens in making our community safer, stronger and better prepared. Go to Hayscountycert.com to get involved.