Emergency Preparedness Tips

Each person's needs and abilities are unique, but every individual can take important steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies and put plans in place. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan you can be better prepared for any situation. Here are some tips to consider when making your plan:

Register with Enable Fort Bend

Registering with Enable Fort Bend will assist Fort Bend County departments, such as the Office of Emergency Management and Health and Human Services, plan how to assist people with special needs in the county during an emergency or natural disaster.

Establish a Support Team

Build a support team of people who will help you in an emergency if necessary. They should be people who are regularly in the same area as you. The first people to assist in an emergency are often your neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

Do Not Rely on One Person

Do not depend on any one person to assist you during an emergency. Support teams and the buddy system have weaknesses; you may not be able to contact each other quickly in an emergency. Therefore, it is important that your support team include other people.

Plan Multiple Ways to Give & Get Information

Different communication systems work differently. In an emergency, some may work when others fail. The more systems you have available to you, the more likely it is that you will be able to contact other people. Consider having access to a standard phone that does not need electricity, low-cost two-way radios, and a portable radio and batteries. A great way to get information is to Tune into 1690 am - MissouriCityReady's Radio Station.

Giving Quick Information on How Best to Help You

Be ready to give people who may not know all the information they need to be able to help you without causing injury. Be clear, specific, and concise when thinking about how much detail is necessary. Be ready with additional instructions if necessary.

Life-Support Devices that Depend on Electricity

Contact your local electric company about your power needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a "priority reconnection service" list. Talk to your equipment suppliers about your power options and also let the fire department know that you are dependent on life-support devices.

Plan a Site Evacuation

Plan how you will evacuate and where you will go if an evacuation is ordered. Identify all the ways you can exit your home, work, school, etc. Tag devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) with your name, address, and phone number in case you have to leave them behind.

Prepare Specific Emergency Supply Kits

Prepare different kits for different places and situations (i.e., home, bedside, on the go, etc.). Tailor the contents of kits to meet your specific needs and abilities. It is ideal to plan for supplies for up to two weeks. Do what is realistic for you - know what you are able to carry in a fanny pack, backpack or drawstring bag hung from a wheelchair.

Medications & Emergency Documents

Plan for a possible 3 to 14 day disruption in your ability to get prescriptions refilled. Ask your doctors which of your medications are critical or life-sustaining and which one you can do without for a few days or even weeks. Store your emergency documents in sealed plastic freezer bags to keep them dry. Make copies of your documents and sent them to your out-of-state contact person.

Emergency Food

Choose foods that are ready to eat and you are to open without assistance. Make sure food has a long shelf life.

Service Animals Supplies

Pack supplies in a pack for your animal to carry.

Build an Emergency Supply Kit

Now that you have started to identify the kinds of resources you use on a daily basis and what you might do if they are limited or not available the next step is to Build A Kit with your unique consideration in mind.