Make a Plan

Why is an Emergency Plan Important?

An emergency plan helps you and your family respond effectively during and after a disaster. It ensures everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to communicate. Planning ahead can reduce stress and confusion, increase safety, and ensure you are able to recover more quickly.

Steps to Create Your Emergency Plan


1. Understand the Risks:

  • Know the Hazards: Identify the types of emergencies that are most likely to occur in your area (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc.).
  • Risk Assessment: Assess how these risks might impact your home and family, including any special considerations such as disabilities or medical needs.

2. Develop Your Emergency Plan:

  • Meet with Your Family: Discuss and agree on the plan with all family members. Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.

  • Create a Communication Plan:

    • Primary and Secondary Contacts: Designate a family contact person who lives outside your local area. This person will be the point of contact for checking in.
    • Emergency Contacts: Include phone numbers for family members, neighbors, and local emergency services.
    • Communication Methods: Decide how you will communicate if cell phones or internet are not available (e.g., using a landline, text messaging, or social media).

  • Establish Meeting Locations:

    • Primary Meeting Place: Choose a location within your neighborhood where everyone will go if you are instructed to evacuate.
    • Secondary Meeting Place: Identify an alternate location outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.

  • Plan for Evacuation:

    • Transportation: Plan how you will evacuate if you don't have access to a vehicle. Consider options like public transportation, rides from friends, or community evacuation services.

  • Prepare for Sheltering in Place:

    • Safe Areas: Identify safe areas in your home where you can shelter from hazards like storms or chemical spills.
    • Supplies: Ensure you have the necessary supplies and equipment to stay safe while sheltering in place.

3. Prepare Emergency Supplies:

  • Emergency Kit: Refer to our Emergency Kit page for a comprehensive list of items you should include in your kit.
  • Additional Supplies: Include items like medications, important documents, and pet supplies in your plan.

4. Practice and Review:

  • Conduct Drills: Regularly practice your emergency plan with your family. This will help everyone know what to do in case of an emergency and identify any gaps in the plan.
  • Review and Update: Regularly review and update your plan to account for changes in your family’s needs, new risks, or changes in contact information.

5. Educate and Inform:

  • Community Resources: Familiarize yourself with local emergency services, community shelters, and support resources.
  • Family Education: Educate family members about emergency preparedness, including basic first aid and how to use emergency supplies.

Get Prepared, Stay Safe

Having a well-thought-out emergency plan is essential to ensuring your family’s safety and well-being during a disaster. For more information and resources on emergency preparedness, visit the Ready Orang homepage.