Planning for Emergencies

Stay Connected With Loved Ones

We plan our vacations and birthday celebrations. Shouldn’t we also have a plan to follow in the event of an emergency or disaster?

Why Do I Need An Emergency Plan?

• Loved ones may be separated at the time disaster strikes

• Friends and extended family will want to hear news of your condition and location

• Family members may need to evacuate independently

• Important records may be destroyed or inaccessible

• It may not be safe to return home

Sitting down with your loved ones and planning together to develop a simple emergency plan in advance can reduce anxiety and save lives in a disaster. Everyone’s situation is unique so no one plan is suitable for everyone. It’s important to consider each household member (including your pets) and think of their daily routines and special needs. You may be unable to return to your home so think about how you could otherwise access your critical personal, financial and contact information.

TIP: Review your plan several times each year and revise as necessary.

By planning ahead you and your loved ones will be able to act more quickly and calmly in an emergency situation and be far more likely to reconnect if separated.

What Should Every Emergency Plan Include?

• A designated place to meet if separated when emergencies strikes – may need different meeting locations to address various scenarios (e.g., if kids are at school vs a neighbor’s house)

• A designated contact person outside the Cascadia earthquake impact or wildfire zone – text that person with updates on your condition and location to stay connected with loved ones

• A safe evacuation plan understood by everyone in your household

• An itemized list of your important information, such as a copy or photo of each person’s driver’s license and passport, critical phone numbers and account numbers for insurance policies, credit cards, bank accounts, etc.

• Recent photos of household members in case you are separated

• A safe and accessible location for the critical information you may need following a disaster – consider keeping it on a password protected flash drive in your GoBag or share it with a trusted friend or family member outside the Cascadia earthquake impact zone

To help you get started, EVCNB suggests you begin with the American Red Cross Family Disaster Form. You’ll likely need to customize this online template to make it work for you and your loved ones, but it’s an excellent and encouraging starting point.

HELP/OK Signs

While you’re planning, do you have the bright yellow HELP/OK sign? These signs help emergency responders know if someone needs assistance or if they can save precious time by skipping a home that is OK. Signs are available at all EVCNB classes and events, local city offices, and the Manzanita Visitors Center.

Get your sign and staple 2 band-aids to the page so you don’t need to find tape in an emergency. Keep it near your GoBag so you can find it quickly. Having a HELP/OK sign is one of the cornerstones of emergency preparedness – make sure you do this one easy step!