Working Together

Schools, daycare providers, workplaces, neighborhoods and apartment buildings, like individuals and families, should all have site-specific emergency plans. Ask about plans at the places you frequent. If none exists, consider volunteering to help develop one. You will be better prepared to reunite your family and loved ones safely during an emergency if you think ahead, and communicate with others in advance.

Neighborhoods & Apartment Buildings

A community working together during an emergency also makes sense. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together. Find out if anyone has specialized equipment, like a power generator, or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis. Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors. Make backup plans for children in case you cannot get home during an emergency. Sharing plans and communicating in advance is a good strategy.

Schools & Daycare

If you are a parent or guardian of an elderly or disabled adult, make sure that schools or daycare providers have emergency response plans. Ask how they will communicate with families during a crisis. Do they store adequate food, water and other emergency supplies? Find out if they are prepared to shelter-in-place if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away.

Employers

If you are an employer, make sure your workplace has a building evacuation plan that is regularly practiced. Take a critical look at your heating ventilation and air conditioning system to determine if it is secure or if it could be feasibly upgraded to better filter potential contaminants. Be sure you and others know how to turn off the system if necessary. Think about what to do if your employees cannot go home, and make sure you have appropriate supplies on hand.