Family Emergency Planning

All of your preparation means little if you don’t have a written plan and review it often.

—       Write it down - can't say it enough!

—       Map out meeting locations and regular family routes so you can easily find each other based on usual locations throughout the day. This is especially useful in helping your children understand the importance of why they need to let you know where they are at all times. Use map quest to print of maps of your town, neighborhood, and traveling routes. Mark meeting places, walking routes, and contacts on the maps, along with possible shelter locations.

—       Contacts – out of state and local emergency contacts – your out of state contact should know they are in charge of alerting other family members and friends that you are ok, this frees phone lines and quickly gets information out, with the less stress and time for you. You will have enough to deal with, let someone else deal with frantic loved ones. Have 2 local contacts – one in the neighborhood and one outside your neighborhood incase you aren’t home or can’t return home

—       Have a communication plan – how will you get a hold of each other if separated. Should your kids try and call you? Where do they reach you? Do you have a central contact person?

—       Use the information card discussed earlier – especially if kids are unable to memorize phone numbers and addresses. http://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Family_Emegency_Plan.pdf

—       Try to have at least one family member who is CPR certified

—       If you are a single parent, expecting, or have a child with special needs at home, have an emergency helper who knows to come assist you in getting everyone out. They should know that they come ASAP without needing a phone call. They should have a copy of your plan also.

—       Give a copy of your complete plan to your out of town contact so they will know where everyone is and what to expect. And you have a backup in case anything happens to yours. Knowing you’re prepared also keeps them calm.

—       How will you get the warning –apps? Radio? TV? Family?

—       Be disaster specific – tornadoes will have a different meeting place than earthquakes or winter storms

There are so many things to consider when creating a family emergency plan. Your plan should go beyond contacts, and a meeting place. I recommend the articles and forms on these sites as a great place to start planning.

http://womenshealth.gov/emergency-preparedness/make-a-plan/ Pregnant & special needs considerations

http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=1422&itemID=33723&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fact%20sheets/Prepare%20for%20an%20emergency/Get%20Ready!&cookie%5Ftest=1- NFPA get ready family emergency plan, NFPA home fire escape plan. Available in Spanish and English

These should also be included in your 72 hour kits

http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/plans_train/Earthquake/go-kit_passport.pdf?ga=t– go kit passport English

http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/plans_train/docs/spanish/passport_sp_version_web.pdf- go kit passport in Spanish