HSEM: Take control and prepare for an emergency with three steps
Sept. 21, 2023
Having a plan can save you precious time in an emergency, when every second counts.
That's why our Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division is teaming up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support local efforts like those of Washington County Emergency Management Senior Planner Allison Strohl this National Preparedness Month.
“It's so important you know what to do in an emergency. You never know when you will have to evacuate your home," Strohl said. “We prepare so that we don't panic in a disaster."
Strohl, like other emergency management staff across our state, is encouraging her neighbors to take time consider what they would do if flash flooding, wildfires or other natural disasters hit their community.
Fortunately, three simple steps can put them in a better position to deal with anything Mother Nature throws at us. Take control in 1, 2, 3:
- Assess your needs.
- Make a plan.
- Engage your support network.
What those steps look like will be different for each person. Do you have medications that need refrigeration, rely on mobility or assistive devices or take care of a pet? Each of those will factor into what you'll need to stay safe in a disaster or emergency.
Once you assess your needs, you can tailor your plans to make sure they are met. This can include building a kit that includes extra medication, having a way to store medications in an emergency and planning for your pets or service animals.
We recommend you have an emergency kit with enough food and water for every family member for three days, as well as other necessities. You can find a full list of items to include on our National Preparedness Month webpage.
The most important thing to remember: It's OK to ask for help. Reaching out to family, friends and neighbors can help you build a support network that can support you before, during and after a disaster or emergency. Share each aspect of your emergency plan with everyone in your group, including a friend or relative in another area who would not be impacted by the same emergency who can help if necessary.
"Living situations, the availability of your contacts and other circumstances can change year to year, so practicing and updating your family emergency plan and preparing an emergency kit is important," Strohl said. "Many people may not know where to get started with preparedness at home. That's why highlighting National Preparedness Month is so valuable: It encourages us to take those extra steps now, not just for ourselves, but for our loved ones and neighbors too."
Make sure everyone knows how you plan to evacuate your home or workplace and where you will go in case of a disaster. Give someone you trust an extra key to your house and tell them where you keep your emergency kit.
Get more information on how to stay prepared on our HSEM website.
