Be Prepared
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles are a stark reminder that disaster can strike without warning and with fast, furious, and capricious force. Scouts know that being prepared is an important first step in dealing with the unexpected. While the Scouts work to complete their Wilderness Survival merit badge, there’s another important badge to help stay ready for urban calamities such as fire and earthquakes—Emergency Preparedness. Two of the most important concepts in that course are “Make a kit. Have a plan.”
Make a Kit
Every family should have an emergency kit, and every family member should have a “go bag” with the items they’ll need in the event of an evacuation. The last thing you want is to go looking for critical items after disaster strikes. It’s best to keep your supplies somewhere easy to access and near an exit. For heavier items, such as food and water, a wagon will make things easier to transport.
Personal Essentials
An extra set of house keys
Glasses or contact lenses
Flashlight
A digital and paper copy of your ID and other important documents (birth certificates, passports, house title, etc)
A change of clothes
Cash in small bills
A paper map marked with two evacuation routes (free if you have AAA)
Food & Water
Water: one gallon per person, per day. You should have a portable, three-day supply for evacuation if possible, and a two-week supply at home. If you have a food-grade hose you can use the stored water in your water heater. A 50-gallon tank is about two weeks supply for a family of four.
Food: nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home). If you have the space, your home supply can be overstock of pantry foods you eat regularly. There are also numerous pre-made kits on the market.
Baby supplies, if needed
Health & Medication
Extra medication (remember, medication expires)
A written list of all medications you and your family need, including prescriptions and other important medical information
N95 or KN95 masks to protect from smoke and/or airborne viruses in a crowded indoor space like an evacuation shelter.
Communication
Portable radio and batteries
A battery pack and charging cables for your phone
Entertainment
A deck of cards
Small notebook & Pen/Pencil
Small, non-electronic games like Mad Libs
What Else to Grab
Easily carried valuables
Laptop
Blankets or sleeping bags
Games and activities for kids
Pets
Cal Fire’s list of items for pet owners includes:
A carrier for each pet
Vaccination and medical records, proof of ownership, a current photo, contact information for the pet’s veterinarian
Two week supply of food and water
Food and water bowls
Medications and instructions
Litter box and litter for cats
Waste disposal bags
Paper towels
Disinfectant
Leashes/collars/harnesses
Blankets
Toys and treats
Irreplaceable Items
If you keep your home kit in bin, nest it in a second, empty bin that you can use to carry things like heirlooms and photos that you would be devastated to lose, but aren’t practical to keep inside your go bag.
Have a Plan
At its core your plan answers three important questions:
What will we do if we have to shelter in place?
Where will we go (and how will we get there) if we have to evacuate?
How will we communicate with each other?
Shelter in Place Plan
Keep your emergency kit up to date
Have extra supplies of things like toilet paper and cleaning supplies
Know how to shut off your gas
Have a way to treat water
Know how to manage perishable foods
Have an alternative source of power for critical items
Evacuation Plan
Keep your go-bag(s) up to date
Know where you’ll go (friend, family, hotel, shelter, etc).
Have a paper map with an A and B route to your destination
Keep your car fueled/charged
Have an alternative source of power for critical items
Be signed up for local alerts from AlertSF
Communication Plan
Decide how will your family communicate if disaster strikes when you’re apart
Designate a rendezvous/rally point if communication isn’t possible.
Assign a designated contact who can relay messages.
Create and share a list of contact information for everyone in your household, schools, caregivers, etc.