Emergency Preparedness

Be Prepared, Not Scared!

Being prepared for disasters is everyone's job, including you. Be creative as you prepare your family to be 2 Weeks Ready. Together, we can build a disaster-resilient Clark County!

One Step a Month for the Next Year

We want you to be prepared. There are still people struggling today to find hand sanitizer and we all remember when toilet paper was a rare find. Yet both of these items have been standard on our recommended emergency kit list for years. That's why we partnered with Washington State Emergency Management with a refreshed Prepare in a Year Guide in multiple languages, geared to help you take one step a month for the next 12 months to get you prepared. We know things are tough and money is tight. So, it makes sense that the first step in our plan is free. Get together and start talking to your family. Create an actual communications plan on what would happen if you were separated. During this pandemic, we have been six feet apart, but still together. During an earthquake, your entire family might be separated by school, work or on the road. By crafting solutions now, you can ensure calm and understanding later. Everyone will know what to do.

Learn Your Hazards

Learning about the hazards near where you work, play, and live will help you and your family be prepared for disasters that could happen, like earthquakes, floods, and pandemics.

Have A Plan

Having a family disaster plan gives you peace of mind when a disaster happens. Decide as a family where your meeting locations are and who your out-of-area contact is.

Build Kits

You and your family may be on your own for at least two weeks when a disaster happens. Build a 2 Weeks Ready kit at home and smaller kits for work, school, and vehicles.

Booklets

To ensure your family is better prepared for the next disaster complete the easy-to-do activities in our Prepare in a Year Booklet:

Don't forget to use our Refrigerator Reminder Card (PDF).

Webinar

Watch the free Prepare in a Year webinar for tips, tricks, and preparedness hacks to help you on your preparedness journey.

Learn About Your Hazards

Natural and technological hazards threaten our citizens and communities and can potentially impact a company's bottom line. An analysis of potential hazards and planning for such events will allow you to mitigate the risks, enhance safety and reduce recovery time. Learn More About Hazards in Clark County.

Have a Plan

Having a family disaster plan gives you peace of mind when a disaster happens. Decide as a family where your meeting locations are and who your out-of-area contact is. Have a conversation with members of your household to discuss the disasters that might affect you.

Have a Plan Template (DOC) (download a sample)

Map Your Neighborhood

This program, created by Washington State Emergency Management, encourages street and neighborhood-level emergency preparedness. CRESA in partnership with Clark County Neighborhoods Office and the City of Vancouver Office of Neighborhoods encourages the use of this curriculum by residents which will assist neighbors in learning how to help each other more effectively. Learn more about Map Your Neighborhood.

Make a 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:

  • Be Prepared - Add One More Item to Your Emergency Kit1 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.

Emergency Toilet Project

CRESA and Clark County in conjunction with the Portland Metro region created the Emergency Toilet Project to provide information about how to stay healthy after a disaster.

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More Information

Clark Public AlertsBe sure to follow CRESA 9-1-1 on Social Media, including Facebook, Next Door, Instagram and Twitter for information about what's going on in your community, preparedness tips, and critical information when needed. Also sign up for Clark Public Alerts to ensure you get critical messages when time matters!


Want to Learn More About CRESA, 9-1-1 or Preparedness?

Are you interested in learning more about what CRESA does, or when to call 911? How about being prepared for emergencies, not only for yourself but your neighborhood? CRESA can provide a wide variety of ways to help fill your educational needs. Contact us by using the following request link in regard to having a public educator for your event or meeting.

CRESA Public Education Request

Activity Toolkits

Want to dive deeper into the activities in the Prepare in a Year guide? Here are free, downloadable toolkits with resources for each of the 12 activities. Some links coming soon.

Communication Plan

Create an Action Plan

Store Water

Grab & Go Kits

Secure Important Documents

Be 2 Weeks Ready

Learn Fire Safety

Learn Utility Safety

Store Under-the-Bed Supplies

Drop, Cover & Hold On

Shelter in Place

Home Hazard Hunt

All Hazards – Basic Brochure

  1. All Hazards - Basic Brochure Chinese (PDF)
  2. All Hazards - Basic Brochure English (PDF)
  3. All Hazards - Basic Brochure Korean (PDF)
  4. All Hazards - Basic Brochure Russian (PDF)
  5. All Hazards - Basic Brochure Spanish (PDF)
  6. All Hazards - Basic Brochure Tagalog (PDF)
  7. All Hazards - Basic Brochure Vietnamese (PDF)

All Hazards – Basic Posters

  1. All Hazards - Basic Posters Chinese (PDF)
  2. All Hazards - Basic Posters English (PDF)
  3. All Hazards - Basic Posters Korean (PDF)
  4. All Hazards - Basic Posters Russian (PDF)
  5. All Hazards - Basic Posters Spanish (PDF)
  6. All Hazards - Basic Posters Tagalog (PDF)

Prepare Your Pets

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. Unfortunately, animals are also affected by disaster.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans for your pets. Keep in mind that what's best for you is typically what's best for your animals.

Our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency have developed several resources to help you care for your animals and prepare for a disaster.

See Something, Say Something

Remember, if you see something suspicious, please say something. If the suspicious activity is in progress, or has evidence of a crime please report it to 911 immediately.

If you receive a suspicious letter or package:

  • Stop. Don't handle it.
  • Isolate it immediately.
  • Don't open, smell, or taste it.
  • Activate your emergency plan.
  • Notify your manager.

If you suspect the mail or package contains a bomb (explosive), or radiological, biological, or chemical threat:

  • Isolate area immediately.
  • Call 911.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water.

Video: If You See Something, Say Something Public Service Announcement