Challenge #2, Communication

Are you prepared for...

•  Power outage
• Home evacuation
• Area disaster
• Medical emergency

Level 1

Do you have...

1. A way of communicating with others in an emergency?
2. A list of important phone numbers at hand (by the phone, purse, or wallet)?
3. A plan of whom to call in an emergency?
4. A battery-powered radio with extra batteries to tune into news about an area-wide emergency?
5. A small notebook & pen, whistle on a neck cord, small shatter resistant mirror in your 72 hour kit?

Level 2
* Do all the above and the following.

1. Teach children how to get help from neighbors and 911 and how to place long distance calls.
2. Post emergency telephone numbers near the phone.
3. Pick 2 meeting places: one near your home and one outside your neighborhood.
4. Develop an escape plan using a floor plan of your home in case of fire, and from your neighborhood/city in case of disaster. Practice emergency evacuation drills at least annually.
5. Install fire/smoke detectors in your home and check the batteries twice a year.
6. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
7. Make sure everyone in your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.

Equipment for Level 2

1. Hand cranked or solar radio.
2. Know who, of your neighbors, has medical experience.
3. Make sure everyone in your family has a current family photo.
4. Make sure every family member has the same emergency contact number, that is out-of-state.
5. Have a whistle in each bedroom to awaken everyone if there happens to be a fire or emergency.
6. Each member has cash, a phone card, or a prepaid phone to call, in their 72 hour kit.

Level 3
* Do all of the above plus:

1. Talk to your neighbors about emergency preparedness.
2. Find out what your work emergency plans are.
3. Compile an Emergency Preparedness handbook with important information and have it in your 72 hour kit. (can be found at www.ready.gov or at www.redcross.org)
4. Have walkie-talkies for family use in an emergency. You will want NOAA capabilities and GPS.