Emergency Family Plan
Apart from organising the necessary supplies and equipment that your family may need in an emergency, you need to develop a Household Plan that is well understood by everyone. Having a pre-arranged Plan means people will know the action they should take and the action other family members will take even if communication between each other is impossible. Older children should be included in all planning activities.
Your Household Plan..
Everyone is aware of the disruption an emergency would create
Everyone is aware that reunification of the family may take time
Everyone knows the designated contact person outside the region
Everyone knows the location of the Emergency Survival Kit
Everyone knows how to turn off essential services
Everyone knows the location of important family documents
Everyone knows the escape routes from all areas of the home
Everyone knows the designated meeting place outside the house
Everyone knows the designated meeting place outside the neighbourhood
Everyone knows the location of the nearest Civil Defence Centre
Everyone knows who is authorised to collect the children from school
The school has been notified of who is authorised to collect the children
People with Special Needs
People with special needs will require assistance in any disaster and they should be identified in Household and Neighbourhood Support Group Emergency Plans. People and organisations which will need help include: pre-school and school organisations, blind, deaf, disabled, elderly and infirm, mothers with young children and people who require language translation.
Pets
As a result of a disaster, you may have to leave your home or even your district and may be unable to find your pet to take it with you. It is also possible you may not be able to return home for several days. Make sure your pet has a collar and disc with your name, address and phone number and that you have emergency food and water supplies for them as well as a spare lead or carry cage (for cats and small dogs). If you have to evacuate and cannot take pets with you, feed your pets first and leave them outside.
However much you care for your animals, put human life of first importance. The SPCA will be active in emergencies. Advise your Civil Defence Centre of any concerns you have about your pets so they can contact the SPCA. Remember that animals may be more adaptable and self sufficient than you think.