Wake County launches readiness roadmap to help families prepare for emergencies
Life as a parent or caretaker means always thinking about what’s coming next. Between daycare dropoffs, doctors’ appointments and family events, there’s already enough to juggle. But disasters rarely wait their turn. To help families plan for fast-moving emergencies like wildfires, tornadoes and floods, Wake County is launching a Family Readiness Roadmap during National Preparedness Month.
“Thinking about worst-case scenarios can be overwhelming, but the truth is, disasters can and will strike our communities, possibly without warning,” said Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas. “By providing resources that make it simpler for Wake County families to be prepared, we’re building a culture of resilience, better equipping us for future emergencies.”
The Family Readiness Roadmap walks users through four “stops” along the road to family readiness.
Stop 1: Stay informed
Emergency alerts let you know a disaster like a tornado is coming before it impacts your family. In a fast-moving situation, every minute and second is precious time to focus on protecting what matters most.
Save yourself the time and stress of tracking down information and sign up for custom emergency alerts at readywake.com
Stop 2: Make a plan
Your whole family is more likely to stay calm during an emergency when everyone knows what to do first. This month, talk to your family about your emergency plan. This includes:
- Choosing an out-of-town contact for everyone to call or text in an emergency.
- Writing down important phone numbers in a place everyone can easily access.
- Agreeing on a backup meeting location in case you’re separated and can’t get home.
Stop 3: Build a kit
What would you and your whole family need to survive without help for three days? Take the time to think about it – some of the answers may not be obvious. Start building your kit using items you already have at home and take a trip to the store to get other essentials. Think about extra items you might need to care for babies, pets and family members with special needs.
Stop 4: Research and reach out
Dive a little deeper. If you and your family had to leave home quickly, what would you do?
- Could you stay with an out-of-town friend or family member? Give them a call to talk about your emergency plan.
- Think about important documents you’d need to bring with you, like IDs, insurance cards, pet info and medical documents. Make photocopies.
Resources for planning
Families that want to build a kit, start an emergency contact list and more can find helpful resources like checklists at wake.gov/Ready.
About National Preparedness Month
FEMA’s Ready Campaign has observed National Preparedness Month since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared. Learn more at ready.gov.
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