Emergency Preparedness: Expert Tips for Creating a Practical Plan

Disasters can strike at any moment, whether it's a natural catastrophe like a hurricane or wildfire, a medical emergency, or even a sudden power outage. Without a clear plan in place, confusion and panic can make an already stressful situation even worse.

An emergency preparedness plan is essential for protecting yourself, your loved ones, and even your business when the unexpected happens. By taking proactive steps now—such as identifying risks, assembling emergency supplies, and establishing clear communication strategies—you can ensure a swift and effective response when every second counts.

Here, Jay Kindle, Riverside Healthcare’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, discusses the key elements of a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan—helping you stay ready for anything that comes your way.

From Food and Water to Connectivity

For emergency preparedness, it's essential to have enough sustenance. Federal agencies recommend storing one gallon of water per person per day for both drinking and sanitation, typically planning for four to five days. For food, various organizations offer disaster-ready meals, similar to military MREs (meal, ready-to-eat) but designed for the general public. It's also crucial to have additional supplies like can openers, battery-powered devices, radios, and candles to stay prepared for unexpected situations.

Another consideration is loss of connectivity. The internet is a valuable resource, but it may not always be available during emergencies. While most people rely on cell phones for communication, it's important to have backup plans. Apps like Life360 can help families stay connected, but you should also consider alternative ways to access Wi-Fi if needed. Being prepared for potential connectivity issues ensures you can communicate effectively in a crisis.

“If the overall network does fail for any reason, and you're not able to connect, a simple old-school plan of identifying a spot and meeting there is an excellent backup,” states Kindle.

Special Considerations for Children, the Elderly, and Pets

Caregivers responsible for children, elderly family members, or pets should take extra steps to prepare for emergencies. Keep a recent photo of dependents and pets for identification. For children, comfort items and resources like FEMA’s “Prepare with Pedro” program can help them cope with disasters.

When it comes to elderly family members, discuss needs in advance with friends, family, and neighbors, and be cautious of scams targeting vulnerable individuals during crises. Always verify the legitimacy of assistance requests before providing money or personal information.

For pets, ensure they have microchips, GPS collars, comfort items, and enough food and water. If evacuation is necessary, a travel kennel is often required for shelter accommodations. Planning ahead ensures everyone's safety and well-being.

Be Conscious of Chronic Condition Needs

Individuals with chronic health conditions or disabilities should take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies, especially when access to healthcare facilities may be limited. Many county health departments maintain an “access and functional needs” database, which helps emergency responders identify and assist those with special medical needs during disasters. Households with individuals requiring assistance should complete this form annually to ensure they are on the health department’s radar.

Additionally, keeping an up-to-date medical summary, including diagnoses, medications, allergies, and healthcare provider contact information, can help first responders deliver the necessary care when every second counts. “A great tool is MyChart, so you'll want to keep that up-to-date. You can put information in your smartphone or log in on a computer somewhere,” notes Kindle.

Community Organizations of Note

Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) play crucial roles in emergency response. These groups include various organizations that provide shelter, food, and resources during disasters. Reaching out to local churches and community groups in advance can help ensure a safe place to go in case of displacement due to storms, flooding, or other emergencies.

Additional resources include:

·        American Red Cross

·        County Health Department

·        Catholic Charities

·        NAACP

“The American Red Cross has several courses people can enroll into as well. There's also what's called a community emergency response team training, or CERT. It’s a community of people that is able to assist with cleanup or getting people in a shelter or securing certain food items, whatever they might need. Additionally, if you're a person who likes to do random online courses, they're quick and easy but full of information. If you go on the FEMA independent study page, they have several courses you can click on and get helpful guidance.”

Get Started Today—Then Practice

Ultimately, the most important advice Kindle offers is to ensure you have a plan set. “You now have a process in place for if this were to happen, then we would do that. Practice the plan with your family. Do fire drills at home. Make sure you identify a meeting place and then meet at that meeting place to see how long it might take for you to get there,” he suggests. “Also, don't be afraid to ask at work, ‘If something were to happen, what is our process and what is our procedure here in place that we should follow?’”

Click here to learn more about Riverside's Emergency Services.