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Personal and Family Preparedness
The Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management does a lot of planning and practicing year round to ensure the County is ready to respond to a variety of emergency situations, but there is absolutely nothing that can take the place of personal readiness. We encourage individuals and families to be prepared in the event of a disaster. That means having a go bag, an emergency kit and a family emergency plan.
Do you know what hazards affect Maricopa County the most? Where would you go for information? The more you know about hazards in your community, the better you can prepare for any and all possibilities.
- Have a Plan!
- Create your plan.
- Practice your plan.
- Stay up to date on local news and emergency information.
- Find out about emergency plans where you work and at school.
- If there is not a plan in place, offer to help create one.
- Know your risk.
- The top three hazards in Maricopa County are Flooding, Wildfires, and the Palo Verde Generating Station.
- Sign up to receive emergency notifications via your cell phone.
- In your emergency supply kit, have:
- crank-, solar-, or battery-powered radios (with extra batteries)
- solar chargers for your cell phones
- Talk to your neighbors about working together in an emergency.
- If you have neighbors who might need special assistance, help them make a plan.
- Turn to your local media for information and instructions.
- The Emergency Broadcast System (EAS) relays messages through TV and radio.
- The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system provides messages directly to your cell phone.
- Listen to and follow all instructions given by local First Responders and Emergency Management Officials who are monitoring the situation.
- You can get more preparedness information from our social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. We are also signed up as an agency on Nextdoor.
In the event of an emergency, where is your family? What is your evacuation plan? Where do you meet? How do you communicate?
Develop a Disaster Plan with your family to prepare for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency.
Disaster Plan - What You Need To Do
- Account for everyone's needs:
- Seniors, children, people with disabilities, non-English speakers.
- Decide where to reunite. Identify two places to meet:
- One right outside your home.
- One outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center, or place of worship.
- Decide who to call if separated:
- Choose an out-of-state friend or relative.
- If needed, they can help you communicate with each other.
- Keep a copy of the disaster plan with you at all times:
- Keep the plan in your wallet, purse or backpack.
- Know and practice all possible exit routes from your home and your neighborhood.
What if you were told to stay in your home, or "shelter-in-place" for a prolonged period of time? What if there was no electricity? What if there was no running water? Do you have enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least three days?
Build a stay-at-home Emergency Supply Kit. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your family members that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits EVERY THREE MONTHS.
Items that should be in your Emergency Supply Kit:
Build a stay-at-home Emergency Supply Kit. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. You should indicate to your family members that these supplies are for emergencies only. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits EVERY THREE MONTHS.
Items that should be in your Emergency Supply Kit:
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
- Child and/or pet care supplies or other special care items
- Dust mask
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach (for disinfecting water ONLY if directed to do so by health officials) and eyedropper (for adding bleach to water)
- Manual can opener
- Ready-to-eat canned foods and other non-perishable food sources
- One gallon of drinking water per person per day
- Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc
- Personal sanitation items: moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
- Tools including a utility shutoff tool
- Whistle
What if you were told to evacuate your home right now? Do you have everything you need ready to go?
Each family member and pet should have a Go Bag – a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. A Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels. A Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year.
Items that should be in your Go Bag:
Each family member and pet should have a Go Bag – a collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. A Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels. A Go Bag should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year.
Items that should be in your Go Bag:
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
- Bottled water and light-weight, non-perishable food such as energy and/or granola bars
- Change of clothes; sturdy, comfortable shoes; lightweight rain gear; coat and blanket
- Child care supplies (diapers, wipes, food, formula) or other special care items.
- Contact and meeting place information for your family, and a small regional map
- Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
- Credit/Debit cards and at least $50 - $100 in cash in small denominations
- Extra set of car and house keys
- First-aid kit including bandages and antibiotic ointments.
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Mask
- Medications and other essential personal items; be sure to refill medications before they expire. Keep a list of the medications each member of your family takes, why they take them, and their dosages.
- Whistle
More Information on Preparedness