Step 1: MAKE AND PRACTICE YOUR FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN
Each person, and family should have a plan in case disaster strikes. You may not have time to prepare before an incident. Developing and practicing your emergency plan with your family keeps everyone on the same page. The resources below will help you develop your emergency plan.
The American Red Cross: BeRedCrossReady
The American Red Cross offers tips on the things you should have as part of your family's emergency plan. You can also download a one-page sheet with a checklist of tips to include as part of your plan.
Ready America : Make a Plan
Ready.gov provides visitors with a downloadable Family Emergency Plan template as well as an online tool for customized emergency plans. Also included are downloadable emergency contact cards for both adults and children to make sure everyone remembers their meeting places and has necessary phone numbers with them at all times.
FEMA: Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
Download this short guide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provides information on how to develop a family disaster plan if you or a member of your family has a disability, functional or access need.
Each person, and family should have a plan in case disaster strikes. You may not have time to prepare before an incident. Developing and practicing your emergency plan with your family keeps everyone on the same page. The resources below will help you develop your emergency plan.
The American Red Cross: BeRedCrossReady
The American Red Cross offers tips on the things you should have as part of your family's emergency plan. You can also download a one-page sheet with a checklist of tips to include as part of your plan.
Ready America : Make a Plan
Ready.gov provides visitors with a downloadable Family Emergency Plan template as well as an online tool for customized emergency plans. Also included are downloadable emergency contact cards for both adults and children to make sure everyone remembers their meeting places and has necessary phone numbers with them at all times.
FEMA: Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs
Download this short guide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provides information on how to develop a family disaster plan if you or a member of your family has a disability, functional or access need.
STEP 2: GET A KIT
Build an emergency kit. The links below will help you put together a family emergency kit, with all the necessary supplies to be ready for whatever type of emergency.
City of Houston OEM Emergency Kit Quicksheet
This quick one-page publication tells you what the basic supplies you should have in your family emergency kit. This is especially useful if you have small children, live with an individual with functional or special needs, or the elderly.
FEMA: Get a Kit
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides visitors with information on what should be in your kit, and offers a downloadable checklist of emergency supplies that can be tailored to your unique family needs.
FEMA: People with Disablities, Other Access & Functional Needs
If you are, or live with an individual with a disability, access or functional need, they may require additional items to be included in their emergency kit. This page offers suggestions for individuals with these limitations, and a download of a functional and access needs brochure.
Build an emergency kit. The links below will help you put together a family emergency kit, with all the necessary supplies to be ready for whatever type of emergency.
City of Houston OEM Emergency Kit Quicksheet
This quick one-page publication tells you what the basic supplies you should have in your family emergency kit. This is especially useful if you have small children, live with an individual with functional or special needs, or the elderly.
FEMA: Get a Kit
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides visitors with information on what should be in your kit, and offers a downloadable checklist of emergency supplies that can be tailored to your unique family needs.
FEMA: People with Disablities, Other Access & Functional Needs
If you are, or live with an individual with a disability, access or functional need, they may require additional items to be included in their emergency kit. This page offers suggestions for individuals with these limitations, and a download of a functional and access needs brochure.
STEP 3: BE INFORMED
The key to knowing how to respond to emergencies is to know whats going on. There are a variety of tools available to help you stay informed about threats before they happen. The following resources will help you stay informed during emergencies:
The National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) operates an all-hazards radio station that can be picked up by special weather radio receivers that can keep you informed during severe weather, and other emergency situations. Visit this website for more information on NOAA Weather Radio and visit your local electronics retailer to purchase a radio capable of picking up NOAA signals.
Local Media
During emergencies, officials will provide local media with information on the current status of the emergency, as well as what residents can do to protect themselves from the hazard. In Houston, there are two Emergency Alert System radio stations which will immediately broadcast emergency messages throughout the city. These are KTRH 740AM and KUHF 88.7FM.
AlertHouston
AlertHouston is a program offered by the Office of Emergency Management to stay informed during disasters. In emergencies, residents will receive e-mails with information on the hazard, as well as what they can do to avoid being severely impacted.
The key to knowing how to respond to emergencies is to know whats going on. There are a variety of tools available to help you stay informed about threats before they happen. The following resources will help you stay informed during emergencies:
The National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) operates an all-hazards radio station that can be picked up by special weather radio receivers that can keep you informed during severe weather, and other emergency situations. Visit this website for more information on NOAA Weather Radio and visit your local electronics retailer to purchase a radio capable of picking up NOAA signals.
Local Media
During emergencies, officials will provide local media with information on the current status of the emergency, as well as what residents can do to protect themselves from the hazard. In Houston, there are two Emergency Alert System radio stations which will immediately broadcast emergency messages throughout the city. These are KTRH 740AM and KUHF 88.7FM.
AlertHouston
AlertHouston is a program offered by the Office of Emergency Management to stay informed during disasters. In emergencies, residents will receive e-mails with information on the hazard, as well as what they can do to avoid being severely impacted.
STEP 4: KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
Communities are a key element to how well people respond to disasters. Having a prepared community around you will help you be able to better respond to a disaster and recover faster. Take a role in your community and lead how they respond.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
The CERT training program is designed to fit into community members' ordinary schedules. The training is divided up into eight three-hour modules. During that time, trainees will have classes on the National CERT program, the organizational structure used by government agencies in disasters, basic first aid techniques, basic search and rescue techniques, and ways to ensure that the individual trainee and his or her family members are prepared for a disaster. Classes are taught by local professionals who have experience in the units they instruct. The courses are managed by a lead instructor who has undergone a Train-the-Trainer program which meets the FEMA and CERT standards. All CERT training is provided free-of-charge. Visit houstoncert.org for details.
Neighborhood Ready
The Ready Houston program offers a 90-minute training class called "Neighborhood Ready," which is facilitated by a member of your community. The course covers topics such as determining if you and your neighbors are ready, understanding what disasters could affect your neighborhood, making a plan, building a kit, knowing your neighbors, and staying informed. Visit neighborhood.readyhoustontx.gov for information.
Communities are a key element to how well people respond to disasters. Having a prepared community around you will help you be able to better respond to a disaster and recover faster. Take a role in your community and lead how they respond.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
The CERT training program is designed to fit into community members' ordinary schedules. The training is divided up into eight three-hour modules. During that time, trainees will have classes on the National CERT program, the organizational structure used by government agencies in disasters, basic first aid techniques, basic search and rescue techniques, and ways to ensure that the individual trainee and his or her family members are prepared for a disaster. Classes are taught by local professionals who have experience in the units they instruct. The courses are managed by a lead instructor who has undergone a Train-the-Trainer program which meets the FEMA and CERT standards. All CERT training is provided free-of-charge. Visit houstoncert.org for details.
Neighborhood Ready
The Ready Houston program offers a 90-minute training class called "Neighborhood Ready," which is facilitated by a member of your community. The course covers topics such as determining if you and your neighbors are ready, understanding what disasters could affect your neighborhood, making a plan, building a kit, knowing your neighbors, and staying informed. Visit neighborhood.readyhoustontx.gov for information.
The City of Houston. (2015). Disaster Preparedness Guide.
Retrieved from:
http://www.houstonoem.org/go/doctype/4027/97747/Disaster-Preparedness-Guide