(EEM) Make Your Plan Lesson

Make Your Plan Lesson 

Ok - now you have a little bit of an idea of who should do what. Now comes your part! The fact that you are taking the CERT training in this course seriously is a great first step! You should try to find a local CERT that you can join and expand your training. But for our class you are now going to get READY! In this part of the lesson you are going to plan for you and your family.

Don't forget your CERT Participant Manual Unit 1. It has many resources that will help you with this lesson.

 

Watch the video below to learn more about making your plan. Winging it is not an option! So let's get organized and plan!

 

 

Step 1: Family Assessment

As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Most or all individuals have both specific personal needs as well as resources to assist others. You and your household and others you help or rely on for assistance should work together.

 

Step 2: Local Hazard Vulnerability Study

 

Types of Disasters Informational Image Natural: A major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth; examples include floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and other geologic processes Technical: Disasters caused by industrial companies, either by accident, negligence or incompetence. They are a form of industrial accident where great damage, injury or loss of life are caused. Intentional: Disasters that are created intentionally, such as a terrorist attack.

 

Research your local area. What disasters have occurred in the past? What threats are there today? In large urban areas there are almost no limits. But in each local area in the state there are unique local threats. You may need to reach out to your local disaster preparedness organization. They may already have a vulnerability study on file for you to review.

  • Natural Disasters - research natural disasters and find lists of these disasters and where they occurred. Are any of these a possibility in your areas?
  • Technological Disasters - research technical disasters and find lists of these disasters and where they occurred. Are any of these a possibility in your areas?
  • Intentional Disasters - research these as well. Are there targets in your area for terrorists?

 

Step 3: Your Preparedness Plan

Family Communications:

  • Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Think about how you will communicate in different situations.
  • Complete a contact card for each adult family member. Have them keep these cards handy in a wallet, purse or briefcase, etc. Additionally, complete contact cards for each child in your family. Put the cards in their backpacks or book bags.
  • Check with your children's day care or school. Facilities designed for children should include identification planning as part of their emergency plans.

 

Family Communication Tips

 

Step 4: Escape Routes

Emergency Plan ImageGetting out of your own house: Draw a floor plan of your home. Use a blank sheet of paper for each floor. Mark two escape routes from each room. Make sure children understand the drawings. Post a copy of the drawings at eye level in each child's room.

If your home is taller than ground level, plan to use an escape ladder from upper floors. Make sure everyone in your household is familiar with these products and is comfortable using them.

Have a "plan b" - what if the main staircase is blocked? What if the front door in on fire? Have at least two escape routes.

We are out of our house! Now what?

It is critical you and your family have designated meeting places in emergencies. You need a spot near your house in case you need to escape a house emergency like a fire. You need another place near your house you can make on foot to reconnect with your family should your neighborhood need to be evacuated. Next, you'll need a local place to meet in case you can't get back to where you live. This might be a place right outside town where your family can regroup to evacuate the area. Finally, you need a place away from where you live you can meet in case your family is not able to regroup near your town. This place would need to be at least half an hour away.

 

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