Prepare

As we have seen in disasters in recent years, it may take several days before outside assistance arrives.  It is critical for individuals to be prepared to take care of themselves and their families until help arrives.

This page provides basic information and identifies additional resources to increase individual and family preparedness.

Personal Preparedness

Preparedness starts at home and consists of three primary steps: 

Make a plan. 

Plans should contain the following components:

 Evacuation routes out of of the home

 Meeting place(s) 

 Emergency Contact List

 

Build a kit.

The attached brochures contain a list of some items suggested for disaster preparedness kits.  This is not an exhaustive list, and individuals and families are encouraged to personalize the kits according to specific needs.

The primary brochure is for All Hazards Preparedness.  In addition, brochures are included for Children, Elderly or Special Needs Persons, and Pets.  Many of the items are listed in each of the brochures to ensure that the basics are not overlooked in assembling the "special" items.

All Hazards Preparedness

Preparedness for Older Adults

Preparedness for Children

Preparedness for Animals

Get trained.

There are many useful trainings and classes available, both online and in person.  Some suggestions and resources are:

         American Red Cross

The Red Cross offers courses that include Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid among others.  Contact the local chapter for schedules.

American Red Cross (National site)

Red Cross of King and Kitsap Counties (local chapter)

Red Cross of Snohomish County (local chapter)

         Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT teaches basic preparedness and disaster response skills.  Click here to see the CERT information pages, including links to schedules and programs.

          Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA has a wide range of free, online courses related to disaster preparedness and response.  

Neighbor Helping Neighbor

Neighbor Helping Neighbor is a local program for public outreach and education. 

The purpose of this program is to encourage both personal preparedness and pre-disaster communication and coordination among neighbors.  (In a disaster, neighbors are going to be the "first responders" for several days until things stabilize.)

Neighbor Helping Neighbor may be delivered by one of the ESCA Staff or Volunteers.  It may also be downloaded and facilitated by a neighborhood organizer.  The following documents are provided for download and printing as tools for increasing personal and neighborhood preparedness.

Neighbor Helping Neighbor - Planning Booklet

Neighbor Helping Neighbor - Facilitator's Guide

Planning Templates

Long Term Care Facilities and Adult Family Homes

Disaster Preparedness for Long Term Care Facilities

 

 Directions for Template Use

 

 Letter to Long Term Care Facility Administrator

 

Special Needs

FEMA provides a website that addresses some of the issues that may need to be address by individuals with special needs.  That website is:  http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/specialplans.shtm

 

Personal Preparedness and "Go Kit" Lists for Volunteers

The following lists were compiled from several lists and resources.  Included are items suggested by one or more CERT Leaders or RACES members as being of use.  As always, this is not a promotion of any item(s) or vendors. 

Personal Preparedness

"Go Kit"