Disaster Preparedness

Emergencies, disasters, accidents and injuries can occur any time and without warning. Being prepared to handle emergencies is both an individual family responsibility. Emergency planning procedures should cover your home, place of work, and vehicle. These procedures will help reduce the effects of disasters and emergencies and could even save someone’s life. Your safety, as well as the safety of your family, friends, co-workers, and pets is of primary importance.

In a major disaster or catastrophe, local government will be severely impacted and will have to recover before it can provide basic services to the public. This action could take two or three days. During this period, the citizens of the community must be able to function without government assistance.

During an emergency or disaster, it may be difficult to find and/or purchase supplies. Self preparedness not only increases your ability to survive, but also reduces the workload of first responders, emergency medical services, fire fighters and law enforcement. A key element to being prepared for a disaster is the assembly of an emergency preparedness kit.

Keep your kit in a convenient, readily-accessible location that contains quantities sufficient for at least three (3) days (72 hours).  You should have a kit for your home, office and automobile.

Additional Resources:

• Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Preparedness
• State of North Carolina Readiness Site
• Family Safety Recommendations
• Best Practices for Pet Evacuation and Sheltering
• Disaster Supply Kit for Pets
• Uptown Charlotte Evacuation Plan