Disaster Guide: Family Emergency Plan Checklist

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FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN CHECKLIST

The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act and local first responders may not be able to reach you right away. PREPARE NOW for a sudden emergency and discuss these ideas with your entire family to create a Family Emergency Plan.

Even though this checklist looks long and scary, it is easy to do and can help you make a plan. We suggest you and your family review this list, then read the entire Manual since there are many tips mentioned in various topics and Sections that could help develop your plan.

PLEASE make some time in your busy lives to prepare for a disaster... a few minutes now could possibly save a life when a disaster hits!

Remember - be aware.., be prepared... and have a plan.

LEARN ABOUT RISKS & EXISTING PLANS:

(See Section 4 for phone numbers of State & Provincial Emergency Management and Red Cross offices -- or check city/county white pages)

  • Find out which disasters could occur in your area.
  • Ask how to prepare for each disaster... but read this Manual first!
  • Ask how you will be warned of an emergency.
  • Learn your community’s evacuation routes.
  • Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons.
  • Ask your workplace about Emergency Plans.
  • Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school(s) or day care center(s).

TIPS ON MAKING YOUR FAMILY PLAN:

(Review all and complete Family Emergency Plan):

  • Meet with household members to talk about the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other emergencies. Explain how to respond to each using the tips in this Manual.
  • Find safe spots in your home for each type of disaster that affects your community. (see Section 2 for explanations of each disaster)
  • Talk about what to do when there are power outages and injuries.
  • Draw a floor plan of your home then, using a black or blue pen, show location of doors, windows, stairways and large furniture. Mark locations of emergency supplies, disaster and first aid kits, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room.
  • Show family members how to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches when necessary.
  • Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
  • Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police and fire departments (see Section 3).
  • Make sure household members understand they should turn on the radio for emergency information.
  • Pick one out-of-state and a local friend or relative for family members to call if separated during a disaster. (It is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area.)
  • Pick two emergency meeting places in case you can’t go home. 1. A place near your home. 2. A place outside the neighborhood
  • Teach children emergency phone numbers and meeting places.
  • Take a basic first aid and CPR class. (see Section 3 for some Red Cross programs)
  • Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year.
  • Keep family records in a water- and fire-proof container. Consider keeping another set of records in a safety deposit box offsite.
  • Check if you have enough insurance coverage. (see Section 2 for more information on flood insurance.)

TIPS FOR ELDERLY & DISABLED FAMILY MEMBERS:

  • Ask about special aid that may be available in an emergency for elderly and disabled family members. Find out if assistance is available for evacuation and in public shelters. FEMA suggests people with a disability register with local fire departments or emergency services office so help can be provided quickly in an emergency. Check if this is available in your community.
  • Ask your children’s teachers and caregivers about emergency plans for schools, day care centers or nursing homes.
  • If you currently have a personal care attendant from an agency, check to see if the agency will be providing services at another location if there is an evacuation - and tell family members.
  • Learn what to do and where to go for each type of emergency. For example, basements are not wheelchair-accessible so you should have alternate safe places for different types of disasters for disabled or elderly persons.
  • Learn what to do in case of power outages and personal injuries. Know how to connect or start a back-up power supply for essential medical equipment!
  • If someone in the home uses a wheelchair, make sure 2 exits are wheelchair-accessible in case one exit is blocked.
  • Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you have trouble getting around.
  • Both elderly and disabled persons should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace at all times if they have special needs.
  • Consider setting up a “Buddy” system with a roommate, friend or neighbor. Give buddy a copy of your Family Emergency Plan phone numbers and keep numbers updated. Also give buddy an extra house key or tell them where one is available.
  • Consider putting a few personal items in a lightweight draw string bag (e.g. a whistle, some medications, a small flashlight, extra hearing aid batteries, etc.) and tie it to your wheelchair or walker for emergencies. Make sure to rotate items so current and working.
  • Visit the National Organization on Disability web site to learn more about Emergency Preparedness issues.

Ties FOR PETS OR LIVESTOCK / LARGE ANIMALS:

TIPS FOR PETS

  • If you have to evacuate your home, DO NOT leave pets behind! Make sure you take a secure pet carrier, leash or harness with you.
  • For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets (unless it is a service animal assisting a disabled person). Find out which motels and hotels in your area allow pets in advance of needing them. Include your local animal shelter’s number on next page since they might provide information during a disaster.
  • Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened to pet’s collar. Keep a photo in wallet for identification purposes.
  • Make sure a roommate, neighbor or friend has an extra house key to evacuate your pets in the event you are unavailable.

TIPS FOR LIVESTOCK / LARGE ANIMALS

  • Evacuate livestock whenever possible. Make arrangements for evacuation, including routes and host sites, in advance. Alternate routes should be mapped out as a backup.
  • The evacuation site should have food, water, veterinary care, handling, equipment and facilities.
  • Trucks, trailers, and vehicles for transporting animals should be available with experienced handlers and drivers to transport them.
  • If evacuation is not possible, a decision must be made whether to move large animals to available shelter or turn them outside. This decision should be based on the type of disaster and the soundness and location of the shelter or structure.
  • If you board animals, ask if facility has an evacuation plan in place.
  • Next, we suggest you sit with your family and write down your Family Emergency Plan using the next 2 pages as a guide. Put this information on sheets of paper near telephones where everyone can see it and keep it updated. Then review how to put together a Disaster Supplies Kit since you may not have much time if you are told to evacuate quickly.
  • Again, we suggest you and family members read this manual together - especially your kids - since there are many tips here that could help you make a plan and learn what to do if the unexpected happens. You may just want to review the book first and then come back to this Section later.

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