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Emergency Preparedness
Disasters can happen without warning. In a large scale emergency, firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders cannot be everywhere that help is needed. For the most part, citizens will be on their own for the first 72 hours of a disaster. There are several things that every person can do to be prepared for this possibility:
Have a plan (download a sample)
With members of your household, discuss the disasters that might affect you.
Out-of-area contact (download a sample)
During a disaster, local telephone circuits may be overwhelmed. If you are separated from your friends or family, you may be unable to contact them for days. But because long distance circuits are often unaffected during a disaster, they can be used to check on your loved ones. By preselecting an out-of-area contact, someone who is out of your local dialing area and at least fifty miles away, you can use them as a message board. By trading messages long distance you can check on the location and safety of your loved ones locally, possibly reuniting with them more quickly.
Make an Emergency Kit
Basic services and supplies may be interrupted or destroyed in a disaster. Whatever you have stockpiled in advance may be all you have for several days. An emergency kit enables you to get through the first few hours and days following a disaster when you may be completely alone. We recommend that everyone have emergency supplies in their homes, vehicles and at their places of employment as it is impossible to predict where you may be when disaster strikes. At a minimum, your kit should contain the following items for each household member to get through the first few days of a disaster:
- 1 gallon of water per person per day
- Battery operated radio
- Non-perishable foods
- Essential medications
- Blankets and extra clothing
- Heat and light alternatives (non-flame sources)
- Additional items may be included to make your kit more complete.
2011 Citizen Corp Preparedness Calendar
Print this personal calendar that emphasizes emergency preparedness.
Map Your Neighborhood
This program, created by Washington State Emergency Management, encourages street and neighborhood level emergency preparedness. CRESA encourages the use of this curriculum by residents which will assist neighbors in learning how to help each other more effectively.