The Federal Emergency Management Agency has asked people to have part of their New Year’s resolution include plans to be ready for a potential disaster or emergency.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a Jan. 4 release that everyone has an important role in keeping themselves, families and the community around them safe. She said through the “Resolve to be Ready” campaign FEMA is encouraging people to have initiatives to be as prepared as possible.
“We continue to see an increasing trend in communities having to confront disasters outside of traditional seasons, while also combatting complex threats posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Criswell said.
Due to the coronavirus, ready.gov also recommends having a mask for everyone over 2 years old, as well as disinfectants.
FEMA listed a few things people can do to be prepared. One is to have several ways to obtain emergency alerts, and another is downloading the FEMA app to receive alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations around the country.
Another recommendation is to build an emergency supply kit that lasts for several days. In remote island areas like Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is recommended to have supplies for at least 10 days.
FEMA also recommends making an emergency communications plan so everyone in the household knows what to do in case of an emergency and what to do if separated. This can include things like evacuation routes that can be practiced with family members. Pets should also be part of the plan.
Ready.gov recommends the emergency plan includes specific needs for the household. It adds that it is important for everyone to be fully aware of what kind of disasters are more prevalent in the area. The plan should include a meeting place because the family may not be together when a disaster occurs.
It is also recommended that each family be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help the community be resilient before disasters.
“Being resilient after a disaster or emergency requires the cooperation, collaboration and shared responsibility of everyone in our community, across all levels of government, the private sector and faith-based organizations to you, individuals and families,” the release said.
