Developing a Family Disaster Plan
The first step in developing a Family Disaster plan is to identify the disaster hazards that may affect your community. Examples are chemical spills, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, power failure, acts of terrorism, tornadoes, transportation accidents, snow/ice, etc. Take the time to educate your family about the disasters that can happen in your community or to your family. The purpose is not to frighten family members, but o help them identify the possibilities and develop an appropriate response.
Have a Family Evacuation and Communication Plan
Discuss with your family, and especially your children, what to do if the family becomes separated. There is a good chance that the family will be separated at the time of a disaster. Work, school, sports and other activities regularly keep us separated from our family members. Don’t leave this to chance, plan for it, and know what to do. Have a meeting place and communication plan established.
Part of my 2 member family plan is the inclusion of GMRS 2 way radio’s in each of our 2 vehicles, and one in the house. These radios use rechargeable batteries, but can also use AAA batteries in an emergency. 8 spare batteries and a car charger for the radio, as well as a base charger, are also in the car.
These radios have a 10 mile radius, 22 channels, secure channel ability, and a radio emergency band. They are made by Uniden, and are available at Home Depot for appx. $40.00 (package of 2).
The plan calls for the family members attempting to converge on our house, which is in south Orange County. Failing that, the alternate meeting point is at a church, roughly 1 mile away.
As the owner of a security company, radio communications has been expanded to include commercial radios as our primary means of communications. This helps ensure extended ranges and avoid the interferance hassles that the GMRS systems have.
Out of Area Contact
During Emergencies, serious disruption of local telephone and cell service can be disrupted. Often, it is easier to get through to people out of state, than someone who is a mile away. It is a good idea for you to designate a family Out of Area Contact, who each member of your family will try and contact if separated, to let them know that you are ok, and to pass messages back and forth to other family members who you cannot find.
Shelter for the Family
It is important to consider what your families needs are for shelter during a crisis. This depends on the size and nature of the disaster, as well as your geographic location. Is your home damaged? How badly? Do you have utilities? Do you need to evacuate your neighborhood? Can you travel safely to another location?
In times of emergencies, public shelters donated by the Red Cross, schools or churches are often available. Space depends on the extent of the emergency. In warmer climates you have more options available than colder climates, due to the additional heating needs. If you use one of these shelters, be prepared to bring clothes, medicines, blankets, sleeping bags, and items to entertain family members.
Should you need to evacuate the area, use routes that have been identified in your Family Disaster Plan. Know the predetermined place your family should evacuate to.
If your family owns a camper or tent, you can use them to shelter your family until evacuation is possible, or until outside help arrives. If necessary, your family can use a van or automobile for shelter until better accommodations are available. Do not run the engine with you or your family sitting in the vehicle. The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning are too great to allow the vehicle to run with your family inside.
Never run a generator indoors or where there is not sufficient ventilation. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recognized safety practices. Never use a non-vented heater, BBQ, or open flame cooking stove inside. All open flame devices give off deadly carbon monoxide.
Surprise! A Hybrid car makes a good emergency generator during times like these!!!
Test Your Kit and Your Plan
Training is an important part of your Family Disaster Plan. Invest time in practicing the Family Disaster Plan with each family member. Training gives family members confidence and experience. The stress of a disaster situation is no the time to try to figure out how to do something new or use a piece of equipment from your family disaster kit. The no-threatening atmosphere of pre0event training is a better time for familiarizing your family with your disaster plan and equipment.
Train with your Family – Practice your Family Disaster Plan
Remember: the way to train or practice is the way you will respond under stress during and emergency.
A Great way to enjoy family training is the indoor camping trip. Pick one evening before dinner to review your Family Disaster Plan and your Disaster Kit. Then, say from 5:30 PM or so until the next morning, be together with your family with NO POWER. You cannot use the lights, watch TV or use the stove or oven, and you cannot use water from the tap.
Your Family Disaster Plan training should also include how to use the equipment in your family disaster kit. How to place batteries in a radio or flashlight and how to light a lantern, candles, or camp stove safely are examples of what should be covered during a training time. Learn how to shut-off utilities and when they need to be shut off. Make sure all responsible people in your household know how.
Planning for a rendezvous site for your family in the event of an emergency should also be part of your family’s disaster plan. If your family had to evacuate your home during and emergency, where would you meet? Meeting in a neighbor’s yard or on the street corner could save the lives of family members. You should also plan a place to meet if you are unable to return to your home following a disaster. A local store, church or a relative or friends home could become a rendezvous site outside your neighborhood.
If you include firearms in your disaster plan, it is IMPERATIVE that you train with them regularly with a reputable instructor.
Safeguard Important Documents
After a damaging disaster or emergency, you will need vital personal documents and information for insurance claims, disaster loans, and other matters. Keep the following items and documents in a safe fire/waterproof safe-box, safety deposit box, or other safe place. Make a list of these items and their location so you will know where they are in a time of stress. You may want to make copies or scan these documents and keep them in a remote safe location or on memory sticks.
Social Security Cards
Birth Certificates
Copies of Will or Trust
Passports & Immunization Records
Marriage & Death records
Insurance Policies
Income tax returns
Mortgage Deed(s)
Mortgage or Rental Receipts
Vehicle/Boat Registration & Certificate of Ownerships
Receipts for major purchases and/or documentation of valuables
Employee paycheck stubs
Stocks, bonds, retirement account information
Savings and Checking account books
Credit Cards
Medical Information
Photo’s of all Family Members (recent-for identification purposes)
Family Disaster Plan Checklist Develop a list of the supplies your family will need in event of a disaster
Develop a list of training needed by your family (see attached document)
Select your out of area contact person
Practice your Family Disaster Plan
Located and know how to shut off the utilities for your home
Assemble the Family Disaster Kit’s
o Home
o Car
o Work/School
Select a cool dry place to store the disaster kit
Identify the official community shelter nearest your family
Develop a list of telephone numbers you would need in a disaster. Include your small group members.
Identify the relatives, friends, neighbors you should check on following a disaster.
Identify emergency evacuation routes (at least 2 should be planned).
Make sure your entire family knows and has practiced your emergency plan, and has access to all disaster supplies, phone numbers and other important documents.
Seek additional Emergency/Disaster Training
Seek opportunities to have your family trained in disaster relief. Many local, city, county and state emergency management agencies provide training for disasters common to their area. Educating your family about emergency management services at all these levels will help them understand the role of the various agencies during times of disaster.
Become an AHA or Red Cross Certified Trainer
The Family Disaster Kit
When a Disaster Strikes
