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What is a Disaster Preparation Plan?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

A disaster preparation plan is a plan for handling, staying safe in, and ultimately surviving a disaster. This plan can cover what an individual or group would do if faced with a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake. However, disasters can also include those that are caused by man, such as chemical contamination or even attacks by terrorists. Any disaster preparation plan should cover these types of disasters as well.

When creating a disaster preparation plan, there are many things to consider and include. A person, group, or family should decide what to do first in a disaster. This means deciding where to go and what to do as the emergency situation is occurring. For example, a family’s plan could include running to the storm cellar until the tornado has passed.

A disaster kit should contain non-perishable snacks, like chips.
A disaster kit should contain non-perishable snacks, like chips.

Some types of disasters would require a person to evacuate his home, work, or school. A good disaster preparation plan should include details about how to evacuate in a safe and orderly manner, where to go, and how to get there. It should also include details concerning what each person would need to take when evacuating. For example, it may be a good idea to have a certain amount of cash, extra prescription medications, medical cards, and ID in a secure location and ready to grab at a moment’s notice.

A first aid kit should be included as part of disaster supplies.
A first aid kit should be included as part of disaster supplies.

Since family members could be scattered around town when a disaster strikes, it is also highly recommended to detail where the family should meet if evacuation becomes necessary. Keep in mind that the preferred meeting place could be blocked off or inaccessible during and after a disaster. For this reason, it’s a good idea to decide on several potential meeting places, each one a little further from home. If one is inaccessible, each family member will know to move on and try the next on the list.

Keeping extra prescription medications on hand is recommended for disaster preparation planning.
Keeping extra prescription medications on hand is recommended for disaster preparation planning.

It’s also wise to choose an out–of-state contact for all local family members. Having a single point of contact who is removed from the immediate area and out of the danger zone can provide a valuable way to reconnect and get updates about loved ones. Additionally, each family member should have a list of emergency numbers to call if disaster strikes. Memorizing at least a couple of them is better than relying on sheets of paper or electronic devices that can be lost or damaged.

People who live in areas where tornadoes are common should have a disaster preparation plan in place.
People who live in areas where tornadoes are common should have a disaster preparation plan in place.

In some cases, evacuation isn’t immediately possible or desirable following a disaster. To plan for this, it’s also wise to make a list of provisions needed to stay in one's home or place of business for an extended period of time. This may mean planning to store a certain amount of non-perishable food, matches, fuel, medications, and water. It’s also wise to include a first aid kit, battery-powered radio, and disposable cell phone in the disaster preparation plan.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • A disaster kit should contain non-perishable snacks, like chips.
      By: Xuejun li
      A disaster kit should contain non-perishable snacks, like chips.
    • A first aid kit should be included as part of disaster supplies.
      By: lucato
      A first aid kit should be included as part of disaster supplies.
    • Keeping extra prescription medications on hand is recommended for disaster preparation planning.
      By: Feng Yu
      Keeping extra prescription medications on hand is recommended for disaster preparation planning.
    • People who live in areas where tornadoes are common should have a disaster preparation plan in place.
      By: James Thew
      People who live in areas where tornadoes are common should have a disaster preparation plan in place.
    • Putting together a survival kit with flashlights, bottled water, and other supplies should be part of your disaster preparation plan.
      By: photka
      Putting together a survival kit with flashlights, bottled water, and other supplies should be part of your disaster preparation plan.
    • Creating a stockpile of canned foods is a good tip when preparing for a disaster.
      By: simmittorok
      Creating a stockpile of canned foods is a good tip when preparing for a disaster.
    • People who live near fault lines should create a disaster plan in the event of an earthquake.
      By: FrankBirds
      People who live near fault lines should create a disaster plan in the event of an earthquake.
    • People who live near major bodies of water should create preparation plans in case of floods.
      By: FedeCandoniPhoto
      People who live near major bodies of water should create preparation plans in case of floods.