SafetyInformed.org's Emergency Plan Workbook

Disasters can affect any part of the United States at any time of the year, swiftly and without warning. Most people don't think of what to do in the event of a natural disaster or community emergency until it is too late; then they suddenly realize how unprepared they are for the massive changes it can make in their lives. On top of that, local officials can be overwhelmed and emergency response personnel may not be able to reach everyone who needs help right away. Each type of disaster requires clean up and recovery and the period after a disaster is often very difficult for families and can be as devastating as the disaster itself. Families that are prepared ahead of time can reduce the fear, confusion and losses that come with disaster. They can be ready to evacuate their homes, know what to expect in public shelters and how to provide basic first aid. The key to successfully managing any emergency is being prepared ahead of time but even more critical is being informed that an emergency is headed your way. Whether it's a tornado, fire, flood or broken gas line, just having even a few minutes' notice can make the difference between life and death. If an emergency or natural disaster occurred in your community, how would you know when to evacuate or avoid affected areas? That's where Reverse 911 comes in. Unlike traditional Emergency Notification Systems that rely on a phone line at your home address or being near a cell tower within affected areas, if you register with a local Reverse 911 system, it will send the most precise warnings and instructions you can receive in the event of danger to life or property from fire, police, and emergency officials closest to the situation. Don't rely on the news or social media because it is often too late by the time you receive any important information that applies to your immediate area. The First Step in Emergency Preparedness is Registering with a local Reverse 911 alert system. Making an Emergency Plan is next. With SafetyInformed.org's Emergency Planning Workbook you'll learn how to customize an emergency plan based on your family size and for the most common natural disasters in your community starting with setting up Reverse 911 alerts. The enclosed worksheets to teach your family the life-skills they need to prepare for and communicate during an evacuation, while sheltering-in-place....whatever a Reverse 911 alert instructs you to do.