| From a lost wallet to a medical emergency to an | | | | first? I don't know how to begin. |
| evacuation, your family members need to know who | | | | Every family and community has different needs and |
| to contact, what to do and how to do it. After the | | | | potential problems. Think about what is most critical |
| initial crisis has been handled, you will need personal, | | | | for your family. |
| medical, financial and insurance information. We all | | | | Start by creating a list of who should be called to |
| want to be organized and have a plan. Why don't | | | | respond. What can be done right now to better |
| you? | | | | prepare for your family's vulnerabilities? Next, what |
| Reason #1 - I am busy and this is something I may | | | | are the most important things that adults and |
| never use. | | | | teenagers should know how to do? Finally, where are |
| Hopefully, you will not, but this planning is not just for | | | | your documents stored and how will they be |
| major events such as natural disasters or terrorism, | | | | accessed. Don't forget about user ids and PIN |
| but also for the emergencies and disruptions that | | | | numbers. |
| most of us will have to deal with at some time in our | | | | Reason #4 - I just don't have the time |
| future. | | | | Don't set up an unrealistic schedule. This does not |
| When stressed, most of us will not be thinking as | | | | have to be done in one evening or one weekend. |
| clearly as usual. What if the person best suited to | | | | Make a list of what you want to include in this home |
| handle the situation is not even at home with the | | | | continuity plan and work on it when you can. Here |
| rest of the family? Take the time to collect, | | | | are a few tips. |
| document and communicate your family's vital | | | | - Once a week, review your mail and copy down |
| information. It can save precious time and heartache. | | | | information on your accounts such as numbers, |
| Consider in May of 2007 alone, thousands of families | | | | addresses and customer service phone numbers. At |
| were forced to evacuate their homes due to: | | | | the end of a quarter, you will have most of your |
| Wildfires in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Arizona, | | | | medical, financial and insurance contact information. |
| Minnesota, California; Flooding in Missouri; Tornados in | | | | - Sit down with family members and find out what |
| Kansas. | | | | they already know. If only one person knows how |
| Reason #2 - My state and local response system is | | | | to shut off the water or electricity, have that person |
| excellent. They have been conducting practice drills | | | | write down the steps. |
| and working with the community. | | | | - Delegate, have someone else go to the Red Cross |
| No matter what the emergency, it is our | | | | or FEMA websites to learn about emergency |
| responsibility to rely on ourselves first. | | | | preparedness. Make this a family project. Even |
| At the May 2007 Conference on the Atlantic | | | | children can learn and be involved. There are many |
| Hurricane Season Outlook, Secretary of Homeland | | | | websites that offer resources for children. |
| Security, Michael Chertoff said | | | | - Gradually buy your emergency supplies. You do not |
| "No matter how good your local responders, state | | | | have to buy a 72 hour supply at one time. Buy |
| responders and federal responders are, they will not | | | | extras of the nonperishable food that you regularly |
| be there instantly at the time a hurricane arrives. It is | | | | use. Once you have your 72 hour supply, start using |
| the preparation of individuals, families and businesses | | | | and replacing items so that they don't expire. |
| that makes the difference between survival and | | | | Reason #5 - I am already organized |
| disaster when a hurricane hits." | | | | That's great; most of us wish we could say that. |
| "That means preparing yourself with the necessary | | | | Make sure that the information can be passed on to |
| tools, preparing yourself with food and water to | | | | other family members if you are not available. Have |
| sustain you for up to 72 hours, having a plan about | | | | copies of your information stored away from your |
| what you do, and, most important, listening to the | | | | house in case you cannot get in to retrieve them |
| guidance of your local officials about when to get out | | | | Bottom line: Having a home continuity plan could |
| in advance of a storm." | | | | make a huge difference. Don't gamble with your |
| Reason #3 - There is too much information out | | | | family's welfare. It doesn't have to be perfect to be |
| there. I don't know what emergency to plan for | | | | worthwhile. Just get started. |