At Ease - Wisconsin National Guard Department of Military Affairs

Are You Ready W
By Susan Burleigh
Wisconsin Emergency Management
Individual and family preparedness
is everyone’s responsibility. But as a
Guard member, in addition to seeing
to your own family’s safety and wellbeing,
you also serve a critical role in
modeling and promoting individual and
family emergency preparedness in your
community.
Local officials and relief workers
will be on the scene after a disaster, but
they can’t reach everyone immediately.
Basic services such as electricity, gas,
water, sewage treatment, telephones and
cell phones may be cut off for days, a
week, or longer. Your family may need
to evacuate at a moment’s notice. It
could be difficult if not impossible to
shop or search for the supplies you may
need, such as medications.
That’s why it is important to
develop a family emergency plan, which
includes preparing a fully-stocked
disaster kit to help your family ride out
the disaster, plus a separate “go-kit”
with prescriptions, extra eyeglasses,
cash including coins, minimum clothing
essentials and other items you’ll need if
forced to evacuate your home.
Here are some tips to consider:
n Start out thinking about the
basics of survival — fresh water, food,
safety, warmth, sanitation and clean air.
Supplies such as food and water should
last for at least three days.
n Add items for special needs —
babies and small children, the disabled,
individuals dependent on medical
equipment, seniors and pets.
n Prepare a waterproof, portable
container with important family
documents.
n Set aside a supply of cash and
coins.
n Pack items to keep family
members entertained — toys, books,
playing cards or games.
When developing a family
emergency plan, address these
questions:
n Have you posted, in a
conspicuous place in your home, contact
information for all family members and
emergency service agencies?
n Does your family know how
to escape from your home in an
emergency? Do you have at least two
escape routes from every room in your
home? Have you practiced?
n Have you designated a family
meeting place near your home where
you can gather and ensure all have
escaped safely?
n Have you identified a family
meeting place farther away from your
home in the event you’re not together
when an emergency occurs?
n Do your young children know
Basic Home Emergency Supply Kit Checklist
n Water, one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
n Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
n Manual can opener
n Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
n Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra
batteries for both
n Flashlight and extra batteries
n First aid kit
n Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
n Fire extinguisher
n Bedding and warm clothes
n Matches in a waterproof container
n Sanitation supplies
n Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air
n Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape to shelter-in-place
70 at ease