Having a disaster plan in place helps recovering faster

Although tornadoes, fires, floods and other emergencies can’t be controlled, taking the time to plan and prepare can reduce their impacts. Since September is Preparedness Month, in Wisconsin, it emphasizes the need for individuals, families and communities, to prepare for disasters and emergencies. Building a base level of preparedness helps families and communities recover faster, and become more resilient, in the event of an emergency or disaster. Preparedness is something to build up to, not something that will happen overnight. Take time this September, to start or continue the family’s journey toward resilience, using the following plan: • Develop blueprints. Know what disasters and potential risks that could happen where living, working or go ing to school. Make sure to have multiple ways to receive alerts, including a trusted weather app, Wireless Emergency Alerts, local news or a community alert system, such as Nixle or Code Red. • Set the foundation. Develop a family emergency plan, that includes what to do in the event an emergency or disaster forces the family to remain at home for several days, or if forced to leave the home. Make sure the plan is practiced. • Add the finishing touches. Create an emergency supply kit. Gather key items to get through an emergency in one location, such as a first-aid kit, non-perishable food, water and flashlights. Remember to think about medical needs and don’t forget to include supplies for pets. Make sure they are in waterproof and portable containers, to take them along, if needed. • Plan a maintenance timeline. Review home and vehicle insurance policies, to make sure there’s an adequate coverage during an emergency or disaster. Make sure to have access to documents, whether they are in a waterproof container or accessible through the cloud. Update files annually, or whenever there is a change. As fall arrives, it is also important to consider mitigation steps to take, to reduce the risks of potential disasters to the home. Seasonal mitigation may include trimming branches, cleaning gutters of leaves and debris, or scheduling a roof inspection. “Preparedness Month is our annual reminder that readiness is not just a one-time precaution, but an on-going necessity,” said Greg Engle, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “Planning for the unexpected may seem overwhelming initially, but the peace of mind from knowing you’re ready, can help you weather the storm.”