Planning and preparation is key to ensuring that you and your family are safe and protected during a natural disaster. It is the responsibility of every individual to take the steps needed to prepare for earthquakes, fires, terrorist attacks or any other kind of emergency that may take place.

By assessing your own personal needs and creating a plan that fits those needs, you will be in the best position when an emergency strikes. Below are ways that you can begin to prepare today so you can be best equipped for an emergency tomorrow.

Plan to have an emergency kit that best fits your needs that can last at least three days. Since access to drug stores, pharmacies or medical facilities could be limited, think about what you need on a daily basis and how you can plan to have access to resources in time of emergency.

Basic Supplies

Think about basic needs for survival: food, water, clean air and any life-sustaining items you require. Consider having two kits, in one put everything you need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The second kit should be lightweight and small in case you have to leave your home.

Recommended Supplies

Include Medical Supplies

If you take medicine or use a medical treatment on a daily basis, be sure you have what you need on hand to make it on your own for at least a week. You should also keep a copy of your prescriptions as well as dosage or treatment information. If it is not possible to have a week-long supply of medicines and supplies, keep as much as possible on hand and talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else you should do to prepare.

If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital or if you receive regular services such as home health care, treatment or transportation, talk to your service provider about their emergency plans. Work with them to identify back-up service providers within your area and the areas you might evacuate to. If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity to operate, talk to your health care provider about what you can do to prepare for its use during a power outage.

Additional Items

In addition, there may be other things specific to your personal needs that you should also have on hand. If you use eyeglasses, hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, and oxygen, be sure you always have extras in your home. Also have copies of your medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cards readily available.

Include Emergency Documents

Include copies of important documents in your emergency

supply kits such as family records, wills, power of attorney documents, deeds, social security numbers, credit card and bank information, and tax records. It is best to keep these documents in a waterproof container. Include the names and numbers of everyone in your personal support network, as well as your medical providers. Also be sure you have cash or travelers checks in your kits in case you need to purchase supplies.

Think through the details of your everyday life. If there are people you need to assist you on a daily basis, list their names and how you will contact them in case of emergency. Identify others that could also help you in case of an emergency. If you require handicap accessible transportation, be sure you have alternatives available. For every aspect of your life, have an alternative procedure. Keep a copy of this written plan in your emergency supply kit and keep a list of emergency contacts in your wallet. Share your plan with family, friends, care providers and others in your support network.

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Consider a plan where each family member calls, texts or e-mails the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact, not in the impacted area, may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. You may have trouble getting through, or the phone system may be down altogether, so be patient.

Plan two ways out of every room in case of fire. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures or overhead lights that could fall and block an escape path. Check hallways, stairwells, doorways, windows and other areas for hazards that may keep you from safely leaving a building during an emergency. Secure or remove furniture and objects that may block your path. If there are aspects of preparing your home or workplace that you are not able to do yourself, enlist the help of your personal support network.

The City’s Emergency Services Coordinator, Greg Papazian, is available to visit local HOA's to discuss how you can make your families more resilient and prepared. To schedule a visit to your neighborhood or for any additional questions, please contact Greg at: [email protected] .