NCJ Number
190112
Date Published
2001
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This report provided an essential guide to disaster planning and information necessary in building a comprehensive family preparedness plan in response to potential disasters affecting one's home.
Abstract
The Family Emergency Preparedness Plan jointly developed by the Office of Emergency Preparedness at the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, the Seattle-King County Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division, offers a four-step process in disaster planning that includes: (1) finding out what disasters could happen; (2) creating a disaster plan; (3) putting the plan into action; and (4) practicing and maintaining the plan. In addition, essential information needed in building a comprehensive family emergency preparedness plan is provided stressing communication as the most important concept in developing an effective plan. The report emphasized that all members of the household must be involved in developing the preparedness plan. Guidelines were also offered in the planning for specific disasters including: fire; floods; earthquakes; winter storms and extreme cold; power outages; hazardous material accidents; and nuclear power plants.