Before an Emergency Happens

1. Develop an Emergency Plan: Develop a plan for what to do at home, and learn about plans at your workplace, school, or anywhere your family spends time.  Include emergency contact information for friends and family members, both local and out of town.
2. Build an Emergency Supplies Kit: Often during an emergency, electricity, heat, air conditioning or telephone service may not work.  Be prepared to make it on your own for at least 10 days. Learn what emergency tools and supplies you should gather for your kit.
3. Be Aware: Sign up for NY-ALERT to receive emergency notifications.  Learn about other resources that can provide you with updated information during an emergency.  Pay attention to news and know your surroundings.
4. Get Involved: Affiliate with a recognized disaster volunteer organization such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army before a disaster.   Getting involved with a disaster volunteer organization before an emergency will increase your ability to help when it is needed.  After a disaster, before going directly to volunteer at a relief organization, hospital or a disaster site, wait for instructions from local officials or check with specific organizations.  Be patient.  After a disaster, many people often wish to volunteer. There may be a greater need for volunteers weeks and months after disaster strikes.

Emergencies can happen anywhere at any time. Develop a plan so that you and your family know what to do without hesitating.

• Meet with your family to discuss why you need a plan. Encourage your family to participate in developing the plan.
• Learn about hazards or emergencies that may affect your community. Learn about community emergency plans and how you will be notified when an event occurs. Emergencies may happen when you or your family members are away from home, so learn about plans at your work, school, or anywhere else you and your family spend time.
• Consider the needs of family members. Infants, older adults, and those with access or functional needs require the same planning as everyone else, and sometimes a little more, to be ready for an emergency. Do you have what each family member will need for at least 10 days (medications, instructions for needed medical equipment, backup batteries and supplies, extension or power cords, diapers, formula, adaptive eating utensils, noise-cancelling headphones, favorite stuffed animal). Does anyone need assistance to respond or evacuate? If so, make sure that trusted individuals who will help are part of your plan.
• Plan what to do with pets. Some shelters, hotels or motels do not allow pets. Contact your local emergency management office to inquire if sheltering plans include pets. Always plan in advance for shelter alternatives that work for you and your pets. Make sure that you have planned your pet's needs including food, water, leash, crate, medical records, etc.
• Make sure you have a way to communicate with others. Choose someone from outside your local area that everyone can contact so that you can let your family know you are safe. You may also want to use social media to keep updated.
• Make a printed list of family members, friends and important community numbers.
• Determine how will you go and how will you get there. Choose a location to meet outside of your home in case of a household emergency and choose a location outside your community where your family members can meet if your home is not an option. Learn the evacuation routes from your area.
• Ensure you can stay informed.  Sign up for NY Alert to receive emergency information - it's free. If possible, acquire a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio to monitor severe weather. Weather warnings are issued by county so know (1) the county in which you live and (2) the names of nearby cities. Monitor social media and listen to local radio and television broadcasts when possible.
• Learn first aid and emergency medical care. You can help save lives and reduce suffering during an emergency if you know how to administer first aid. Adults and teenagers can acquire these valuable skills by signing up for general first aid and specialty courses, which are offered free in many communities.
• Update your plan at least annually or more frequently when situations change.
• Practice your plan to make sure your family knows what to do in an emergency.

Every member of your family should have an individualized kit of emergency supplies.  The kit should contain enough food, water, medications, and other consumables to last up to 10 days.

Check your kit every week and build one for each member of your family.  Be sure to incorporate every family member’s individual needs in their kit and add an entertainment item such as a deck of cards or a paperback book. 

Include the following in your emergency supplies kit:

Food and Water

• Bottled water - one gallon per person per day, collapsible, sterile water container.
• Ready-to-eat canned foods - vegetables, fruits, beans, meat, fish, poultry, pasta, soup, juice.
• Milk - powdered, canned or shelf-stable brick pack.
• High energy foods - peanut butter, jelly, nuts, dried meat (for example, jerky), granola, trail mix, energy bars.
• Staples - sugar, salt, pepper, instant coffee, tea bags, cocoa.
• Candy - chocolate bars, hard candy.
• Infant and small children's needs - baby food, formula, disposable diapers.
• Specialty food - for older adults or people on special diets.
• Pet food (if needed).

Health and Hygiene Supplies

• Prescription medication - at least one week's supply.
• Toilet paper.
• Pre-moistened hand wipes - pre-moistened baby wipes.
• Hand sanitizer
• Toiletries - toothpaste, deodorant.
• Feminine hygiene supplies.
• A list of family physicians, important medical information, and the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.

Personal Supplies

• A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes for each family member. Sleeping bags, bedding or blankets for each family member.
• An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (be sure to check expiration dates).
• Document Holder with identification, credit cards/traveler's checks/cash, and photocopies of important family documents including home insurance information.
• Supports you need for daily living such as sensory items such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, noise canceling headphones or adaptive feeding devices (specialized utensils).

Household Supplies and Equipment 

• One-gallon liquid chlorine bleach
• Battery-powered radio or TV
• Flashlights - one for each room of the house
• Lantern LED
• Glow sticks
• Extra fresh batteries for radio, TV, lantern and flashlights
• Whistle
• Gasoline (if you plan to use a generator outdoors)
• Propane fuel (if you plan to use a grill or camp stove outdoors)
• Charcoal (if you plan to use a barbecue grill outdoors)
• Disposable tableware, including paper towels and napkins
• Manual can opener
• Plastic bags - zip sealing, garbage
• Fire extinguisher (small canister A-B-C type)
• Food thermometer - able to measure temperature from 0 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit
• Crate for your pets

Tools

• Rope (for rescue, tow, tying down property)
• Shovel
• Hammer and nails
• Multi-Tool with pliers
• 4 in 1 Emergency Tool (with gas and water shut off)
• Reflective Vests
• Work gloves
• Eye Goggles
• Utility Tape
• Electrical tape
• Clean-up supplies
• Broom
• Buckets (5 gal min, with lids)
• N-95 particulate masks
• Disinfecting spray
• Mop
• Paper towels
• Rags (to clean with)
• Rubber gloves
• Scrub brush
• Sponges
• Garbage bags with ties

Emergency First Aid Kit

Have these supplies on hand:

• First aid manual
• Assortment of sterile gauze pads and adhesive bandages
• Medical tape
• Ace bandage
• CPR mask
• Quik Clot
• Over-the-counter drugs (aspirin, antidiarrheal medications, and activated charcoal)
• Antiseptic ointment
• Soap
• Nitrile gloves
• SAM splint
• Oropharyngeal airways set
• Thermometer
• Tweezers and needles
• Tongue depressors

Emergency situations can change rapidly.  Make sure that you have multiple ways to stay informed so that you can make the best decisions for your situation.

• Sign up for NY-ALERT to receive emergency information.  It is a free and subscription-based way to receive emergency information.  You can sign up on the website at NY Alert | NY Alert
• Acquire a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio to monitor severe weather, if possible.  Know the county in which you live and the names of nearby cities. – severe weather warnings are issued on a county-by-county basis.  
• Look for the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to broadcast emergency alerts via cable, satellite and broadcast television.
• Pay attention to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) that will come to your mobile phone.  They provide critical emergency information. 
• Monitor social media and listen to local radio and television broadcasts.  Make sure that your devices are fully charged and have extra batteries for your equipment.
• Read local newspapers if they are available.

During emergency situations, it may take time for first responders to arrive.  Being trained to help others and being involved can make a difference in how you and your community recover.

• Learn first aid and emergency medical care so you can help save your life or the lives of others and reduce suffering during an emergency.  Sign up for general first aid and specialty courses, which are offered free in many communities.
• Check on neighbors.  If someone you know is elderly or dependent on life-sustaining or health-related equipment such as a ventilator, respirator, or oxygen concentrator, make plans to ensure their needs are met during emergencies.  Check on them, if possible, during and after the emergency, and notify others who could provide help such as neighbors, relatives, nearby friends, and the local fire department.
• Participate with Community Organizations.  Learn about volunteer programs in your community and donate time.