Resolve to be Ready for Disasters

Amid the promises to organize, balance and stress less in 2012, encourages residents to make disaster preparation their resolution this year.

As part of FEMA’s annual “Resolve to be Ready” campaign, Hillsborough’s Fire Safety office asks residents to create the plans that help them prepare for emergencies.

The plan encourages residents to consider the basics needs families—and pets—would need during an emergency, whether the emergency strikes at home, work or while travelling. It emphasizes communication between family members, necessary supplies, and knowing the risks for an area.

According to FEMA, a basic list of disaster supplies should include one gallon of water per person, a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries for radios and flashlights, a first aid kit, local maps, a manual can opener, a dust mask, plastic sheeting, duct tape, a wrench or pliers, moist towelettes, plastic bags and bag ties, and cell phones with chargers, and a power inverter or solar charger.

Residents can begin preparing by taking these simple steps:

• Be informed. Know the hazards and risks in your area, and learn what you need to do to get ready for them.
• Make a family emergency plan, so you know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones if a disaster hit. For example, think about how you would reach your kids at school or your spouse at work. If you had to evacuate, where you would go. Thinking this through in advance will make a big difference.
• Build an emergency supply kit for at home and in the car. The kit should include water, food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lose power or get stranded in your car. This is especially important for dealing with icy roads and snowstorms this winter.
• Using modern-day technology can help individuals and families prepare, adapt and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies or disasters. Learn how to send updates via text and Internet from your mobile phone to your contacts and social channels in case voice communications are not available.
• Store your important documents such as personal and financial records in the cloud or on a secure and remote area or flash or jump drive that you can keep readily available. That way, the records can be accessed from anywhere.

In addition, the Fire Safety Department recommends visiting FEMA’s disaster readiness website, Ready.gov, for planning resources and lists of necessary items. Residents can also like the Hillsborough Fire Safety Department’s Facebook page, which includes fire safety tips from the department.