How to Prepare a Disaster Contingency Plan

A good disaster contingency plan consists of organizing resources, assessing risks, developing a plan, implementing the plan and monitoring it. The plan is a constantly changing document. The plan needs to be flexible because communities and resources change over time. The goal of the plan is to reduce or eliminate the loss of life. The plan strives to do the same for property damage resulting from natural hazards. Understand that your plan might be different for different types of emergencies. You would respond differently to a house fire than you would a state emergency for a blizzard.

Instructions

• 1

  Organize your resources. Take an inventory of resources that would be needed and available in the event of various emergencies. Resources can be other people as well as organizations. Create an emergency list of contacts. Be sure to include area codes, especially if you have younger children. Create an inventory of household items and family assests. Keep it in a water and fire-proof safe.

• 2

  Assess your risks. Determine the potential problems in your household and in your community. Include tornadoes or wind storms in your plan if you live in an area prone to these meteorological events.

• 3

  Develop a plan and set priorities. Make an evacuation map of your house. Include each room and possible escape routes from each room. Consider where your family would meet if a disaster happened while your children were at school and you were at work. Learn how to turn off your utilities. Include your pets in your planning.

• 4

  Implement the plan and monitor its progress. Hold regular drills at home. Make sure everyone knows where to go and what to do in an emergency.

• 5

  Make an emergency kit. Include blankets, food and snacks high in protein, water, a flashlight and batteries. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency also recommends a first aid kit, extra clothes, a tool kit, duct tape, a tow line, a utility knife, and extra medication if applicable.