Emergency Preparedness and Family Safety
 

Is your family prepared?

(Information taken from the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Safety City News – March 2003 Edition)

FEMA and American Red Cross experts offer advice on emergency preparedness for families

Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere.  And when disaster strikes, you may not have time to respond. 

A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant evacuation.  A winter storm could confine your family at home.  An earthquake, tornado or any other disaster could cut off basic services – gas, water, electricity and telephone – for days.

After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately.  You could get help in hours, or it may take days.    Would your family be prepared to cope with an emergency until help arrives?

Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes.  The American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offer simple guidelines that will help you and your family prepare for emergencies.