Prepare in advance for natural disasters.
When disaster strikes it is important that plans are in place to aid in evacuation, response and recovery. Recovery refers to both post-disaster rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, as well as ways to create temporary resiliency and normalcy. You should become knowledgeable about all disaster plans that may affect you and your family, including those of your local municipality, schools and places of employment. Ideally, disaster recovery plans address the four stages of disasters -- preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery -- and have both long and short-term solutions and actions.
Instructions
1. Prepare for a disaster before it happens to you.
Create a home preparedness and disaster plan, especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods or hurricanes. You should have a 72-hour supply of food, water, medicine, hygiene supplies and clothes stored in a waterproof box that can be grabbed at a moment's notice. Flashlights, matches, candles, a hand-crank radio, pet food, a first-aid kit and cleaning supplies are essentials as well. Copies of important papers should also be included.
2. Know where your children will be taken during an emergency.
Check with your child's school to ensure that it has a disaster plan in place. Know where your child will be taken in case of an emergency. The National Center for Disaster Preparedness has found that most people will ignore the school's plan and try to go directly to pick up their children. This can lead to increased traffic chaos and confusion, especially when contraflow -- traffic moving all in one direction on highways -- measures are introduced.
3. Companies must remember to back-up all data, including laptop computers.
Ensure that your workplace has a strong disaster recovery plan in place. Larger companies will have a disaster or emergency manager. On-site fire drills and evacuations should be practiced at least twice a year. The plan should include off-site back-up of all data, including files stored on laptop computers, USB keys or at home. You should know how, when and where to report to work following a disaster, as well as who to contact. Organizations with offices in different cities should have key contact people in each office who can coordinate tracking of employees, clients and information, if one city is severely affected by a natural or technological disaster.
4. Find out if your town is prepared for a disaster.
Learn what plans your municipality has in place in case of a neighborhood or city-wide disaster. This should include the location of shelters, directions to evacuate and information about reconnecting with loved ones. In a larger city, there may be an Office of Emergency Preparedness or it may be part of social services or public health. In a smaller town, this could be under the purview of a number of departments. Ask your local councilor for more information.
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