4 Steps to Preparedness

 1.    GET INFORMED  

Contact your local emergency management office or local American Red Cross Chapter to gather the information you will need to create a plan.

• Community Hazards Ask about the specific hazards that threaten your community (e.g. hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes) and about your risk from those hazards. Additionally, hazard information for your local area can be obtained at
• Community Disaster Plans Learn about community response plans, evacuation plans, and designated emergency shelters. Ask about the emergency plans and procedures that exist in places you and your family spend time such as places of employment, schools, and child care centers. If you do not own a vehicle or drive, find out in advance what your community’s plans are for evacuating those without private transportation.
• Community Warning Systems Find out how local authorities will warn you of a pending disaster and how they will provide information to you during and after a disaster. Learn about NOAA Weather Radio and its alerting capabilities (www.noaa.gov).

Now on to Step 2!