Basic Emergency Plan

A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow - Proverbs

First - Who are you planning for? List the people on a piece of paper, and then list the special needs they have.


  • Single
  • Married
  • Children
  • Extended family
  • Friends
  • Neighbors
  • Pets
  • Livestock
  • ...

Second - What are you planning for?


  • Prepare a List of potential emergencies that you might face, and how to respond to each item on your list.

Third - All emergencies have some things in common, it is these common effects we should try and prepare for. Educate you and your family on some universal responses to a wide range of emergences.


  • Teach children how and when to use the emergency numbers.
  • Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones, including:
    • Local police
    • Fire Department
    • Ambulance Service
    • Gas Company
    • Electric Company
  • Develop a contact list (family information) for each member of your family, including:
    • Work
    • School
    • Cellular
  • Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.
  • Pick one out-of-state and one local contact for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).
  • Give your family information to your contacts.
  • Make a list of radio stations for emergency information.
  • Pick two meeting places where you can meet in the event of an incident that makes it impossible for you to get home.
    • A place near your home in case of a fire.
    • A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
  • Learn how your children's schools will handle emergency situation.
  • Discuss what to do about personal injuries.
  • Draw a floor plan of your home.
    • Mark two escape routes from each room.
    • Mark where the main utility switches and valves are located.
    • Mark the location of emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and emergency supplies.
  • Teach your family how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches.

Fourth - Prepare a bug out bag and a vehicle emergency kit.


Fifth - Develop a plan to evacuate or shelter in place depending on the circumstances.


Sixth - Begin establishing you food, water, and supplies cache.


Seventh - Start increasing you knowledge base, your skill abilities, and assemble a library of technical and reference material.

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