Personal/Home Preparedness

Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Every disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property. If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations will try to help you, but you need to be ready as well. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus efforts elsewhere. You should know how to respond to any disaster that may occur in your area – severe weather, extreme cold, wild fire or terrorism. You should also be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days. This may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation.

District Health Department No.2 feels family and home preparedness is an important thing for all citizens to consider. Citizens that are prepared relieve the burden on emergency responders during an emergency and allow them to focus on areas of critical need or citizens more harshly effected. There are links in the box on the right for several family preparedness guides to assist you in preparing for disasters including public health emergencies like disease outbreaks or acts of terrorism.