US Disaster Program Preparedness Resources
Feeling prepared for a situation – be it a job interview, a new baby or a sudden disaster – not only helps us experience less fear and anxiety, but can actually improve how things go. The three most important things you can do to prepare for a disaster are to make a plan, be informed and get a kit.
Disaster Preparedness for Individuals
- Start with the basics: The three most important things to have on hand are water (one gallon per person per day, with enough for 3 days), food (non–perishable items) and cash (including small denominations). Having a gallon of water, an extra jar of peanut butter and an extra $30 can make a huge difference after a disaster!
- Memorize a phone number: Have at least one or two emergency contact numbers memorized so that you don’t have to rely on your cell phone’s electronic contact list, which can run out of battery or be lost in a disaster. It’s also a good idea to keep a paper copy of a few contact numbers in your wallet.
- Make copies of important documents: Extra copies of your identification, credit card numbers, passports, birth certificates and insurance information can be critical after a disaster. Keep paper copies in a secure location offsite (such as a safety deposit box or with a trusted friend or relative) and digital scans on a flash drive.
- Sign up for text alerts: Visit https://www.ready.gov/alerts to learn more about how you can sign up to receive alerts on your phone before a disaster strikes.
Disaster Preparedness for Families
- Make a plan with your family: Talk through what you would do after a sudden event – where would you meet? Who would you contact? What kind of materials might you need? Ensure that everyone in your family knows where to go in the event of a sudden disaster, such as a fire or tornado.
- Teach texting: After disasters, cell phone service is often jammed or down completely. Texting is more reliable and uses less space on crowded cell networks. Make sure that sure that everyone knows how to send and read text messages so that you can communicate after a disaster.
- Notify your utilities company if someone in your home is oxygen-dependent.
- Make a list of everyone’s prescriptions, and keep at least a week’s worth in your emergency kit: After a disaster, it may not be immediately possible to refill needed prescriptions.
- Learn how to shut off utilities to your building: In an emergency, it is important to know how to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and natural gas. This can help prevent further damage to homes in the event of a disaster.
Disaster Preparedness for Churches
- Post church signs with emergency information: Many churches have visitors and host meetings for various community organizations, who may not know your church’s address or local emergency numbers. Posting signs with this information around the church can help ensure that emergency response workers can arrive at the scene quickly.
- Plan a fire drill on a Sunday: Take the time on a Sunday to practice what to do in the event of an emergency. A basic building evacuation may be a helpful procedure for addressing a number of different hazards.
- Build emergency kits as a congregation: Include “A Season of Resilience” inserts in your weekly church bulletin. Each week, the inserts will walk you through building a disaster kit that is personalized for your household. If you already have an emergency kit, replace any items that have expired.
- Safeguard important church documents: Create backups of important church documents, such as marriage and baptismal registers, important financial files and insurance information for the church, and keep physical copies in a fireproof, waterproof lock box or safe. For more information, consult The Episcopal Church’s Archives Manual.
- Create a church “Go Kit”: Create a kit containing items essential for holding worship: Communion silver, a Book of Common Prayer and a hymnal. Even if the church building is damaged or inaccessible, services may continue with these items. Include in the kit a backup of electronic church files, insurance information, a complete set of keys to the church and a list of usernames and passwords for church electronics.
- Update existing church communication tools: Do you have a church email list, Facebook group or phone tree? Using these tools regularly helps keep information up-to-date and gives members of your congregation an opportunity to practice communicating with the church before a disaster occurs.
- Put your church on the Map: The Episcopal Asset Map, a joint project between The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief & Development, is an online tool for highlighting the ministries of the Episcopal Church. Does your church have a kitchen, a food pantry ministry or something else that could help in a disaster?
- Learn about an outreach ministry: One of the reasons the Church is uniquely positioned to respond after disasters is that Church members are often already in relationship with people who may be vulnerable after a disaster. Outreach ministries may be scaled up to meet the needs of the community. If you are interested in the work being done, stick around and help out!
- Help out during times of need: There is no need to wait until a catastrophic event occurs. The Church can play a role in recovering from smaller emergencies like apartment complex fires or medical emergencies. You don’t need to spearhead every recovery effort, but small gestures such as cooking a meal or listening to those who are affected may help in rekindle a sense of normalcy after a traumatic event.
- Connect with your insurance company or local first responders to identify potential hazards: Many dioceses have someone appointed to do walk–throughs of church property. Reach out to your diocesan office to learn more, or contact your local police or fire station to inquire about building walk–throughs.
- Connect with your local VOAD or COAD: Your local VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) or COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) will have information about how you can partner and build relationships with other organizations both pre– and post–disaster.
- Partner with a church outside your area: Consider partnering with a church in a different geographic area.
- Connect with your Diocesan Disaster Coordinator: Diocesan Disaster Coordinators have been designated by their bishops to help their dioceses prepare for disasters. Contact your coordinator to learn more about preparedness efforts in your area.