Being Prepared

The Riverside Community College District encourages all individuals to be prepared. It is especially crucial for those individuals who are Disaster Service Workers to get a kit, make a plan, and be informed. The following information, taken from American Red Cross introduces these three critical aspects of preparedness.

Step One - Get a Kit

Consider the following when assembling or restocking your kit to ensure you are prepared for any disaster. At a minimum, gather the basic supplies listed below:

• At a minimum, gather the basic supplies. Visit the Resources page for lists of recommended supplies.
• Keep supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.
• Consider the special needs of all your family members (including babies, elderly and pets.) and supplement your kit with items that fit your needs.

Step Two - Make a Plan

• Meet with all members of your household to discuss how to prepare your home and family for a disaster.
• "Identify" responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.
• If family members travel or are away from the house for long periods of time, decide how the family will respond if the member(s) is away.
• Identify at least two possible meeting points - One outside your home in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire and one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or are evacuated.
• "Choose" an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or programmed into their cell phones.
• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.
• Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

Step Three - Be Informed

• Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur in your area. These events can range from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like an earthquake or flood.
• Know the hazards and vulnerabilities in and around your home and workplace.
• Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels.
• Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.
• Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or have moved recently.