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How To Develop A Family Disaster Plan =

Release Date: June 9, 2010
Release Number: 1899-002

=C2=BB More = Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding

=C2=BB 2010 Region=20 II News Releases

ALBANY, N.Y. =E2=80=93 State and Federal emergency management = professionals encourage=20 individuals and families to be ready in case there is an = emergency. Every=20 one should have a plan =E2=80=93 know what to do and when to do it = during an emergency =E2=80=93=20 and have a fully-equipped emergency supply kit packed and = ready-to-go.

You should be prepared to take care of yourself and family members = for the=20 first 72 hours =E2=80=93 that=E2=80=99s three days =E2=80=93 following a = disaster, such as a severe=20 storm or hurricane. An emergency preparedness kit should include food = and water=20 for each family member, a battery-powered or hand-held radio, = flashlight, spare=20 batteries, first aid kit, non-electric can opener, dry clothes, bedding, = toilet=20 paper, and garbage bags for personal sanitation. Don=E2=80=99t forget = extra eye glasses,=20 medications, copies of prescriptions and special products for babies, = the=20 elderly and medically fragile or disabled family members.

Other items to consider include sleeping bags or blankets, paper = towels,=20 books, puzzles and games for children and food for family pets. = It=E2=80=99s=20 helpful to have cash in case banks are closed and ATMs are not open. = Have=20 important insurance information and other important documents readily=20 available.

Make an evacuation plan and learn the evacuation routes in your = neighborhood.=20 Traffic congestion is inevitable. Plan for a significantly longer = travel=20 time to reach your destination. If possible, evacuate using only = one=20 vehicle. Have a communication plan with phone numbers of family members = in case=20 people get separated. Identify a friend or family member in another = town, who=20 can be contacted during an emergency.

Store the emergency supplies in an easy-to-carry plastic storage = container or=20 duffel bag, so that you can grab it quickly and go when an emergency = forces you=20 to leave your home. Putting together an emergency kit isn=E2=80=99t = expensive. =20 Many of the items are probably in your home already. Any additional = supplies you=20 may need can be purchased over a period of time.

More information on emergency preparedness, including how to put = together a=20 family communication plan, can be found on FEMA=E2=80=99s Web site (in = English and=20 Spanish): http://www.ready.gov/ , = http://www.listo.gov/ and http://www.semo.state.ny.us/.

FEMA=E2=80=99s mission is to support our citizens and first = responders to ensure that=20 as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our = capability to=20 prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all = hazards.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 09-Jun-2010 = 17:00:18

FEMA 500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: = (800)=20 621-FEMA