If you are asked to evacuate during a fast-moving fire, how do you reassemble your family if some are at work, others at home or school? How do you stay in touch and know everyone’s OK? The short answer: By having a family emergency plan.
The Family Emergency Plan is your personal “What If” and “How Do We” action plan. Four easy steps:
- Collect the information
- Make a plan
- Practice, at home and on the road
- Get involved
Collect the info
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? CodeRED, Nixle, school emergency notifications, local media i.e. YubaNet text alerts.
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
During a wildfire or other emergency, communication networks can be overloaded or unavailable. Power outages are likely, further restricting your access to normal communications.
Landline phone owners, do you have a phone that does not require power to function? Pro tip: In case of an evacuation, forward your landline/home number to a cell phone so your family and friends can reach you.
Cell phone users, remember that a text message may go through when a phone call does not. Texts require less bandwidth than a voice call. A simple “I’m OK and at [location]” is great news when family members are separated during an evacuation. Pro tip: Keep your devices charged, especially on Red Flag Days.
Identify an out-of-town contact who can liaise between you and other family members in case local networks are congested or down.
Make a plan
Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family and other important people/offices, such as medical facilities, doctors, schools, or service providers.
Make sure everyone in your family has a copy of this information with them at all times, ideally both in electronic and paper form. The non-electronic version is critical once devices run out of power.
Download a copy of the Family Emergency Communications plan, fill it out, print it and post a copy on your refrigerator, in your garage and give a copy to each household member.
Provide a copy of the information to your out-of-town contact.
Customize the plan to fit your specific needs. Adults with kids need to plan not only for themselves but incorporate a school’s emergency plan into their own. If you have family members with limited mobility, consider a buddy system with a neighbor to make sure are able to safely leave the house in your absence.
Practice, at home and on the road
The best plan is of little value if never tested. Once you have your plan ready, practice. Conduct your own personal drill with all your household members, including your pets. If you have ever tried to put a reluctant cat in a carrier you know this takes more than a minute.
Most of us drive the same route every day to get home. Take a few hours and identify alternate routes if possible. Depending on the direction and rate of spread of a fire, your normal route out may be blocked. Ideally, drive the alternate routes both during day and nighttime. Wildfire smoke obscures the sky rapidly and you could be driving through dense smoke with almost no visibility.
Get involved
If your neighborhood is chosen for one of Nevada County’s evacuation drills, participate. Get involved with your Firewise Community if you live in one, or start one with the help of the Fire Safe Council.
Talk to your neighbors and see how you can assist each other. Being prepared lowers stress levels and increases resiliency – what’s not to like about that?
Next week, plan and practice, with your family – especially your kids.
