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September is Preparedness Month: What's in YOUR Plan?

Posted on 09/03/2024
Images of first aid kit, piggy bank, flashlight and other emergency needs; title says: NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

The 2024 FEMA Theme is: AANHPI Communities

 

With City seals and cartoon images of Asian-ancestry appearing people, TEXT: September is National Preparedness Month / For 2024 FEMA's focus is on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

EMD's 2024 NPM Newsletter

 

 

 

Do you have an emergency plan already?

This might be a good time to check it for needed updates. 
 

No plan, yet? 

September is the annual National Preparedness Month, so what better time?  (OR, any time you're reading this!)
  • Your family may not all be together if a disaster strikes.   
  • Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. 
  • Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.
  • A meeting place may need to change based on which possible Los Angeles area disaster is occurring, and where it's focused.

 

STEP 1: Put a household plan together; discuss these questions

  1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?  
    • Register for NotifyLA to stay up to date with emergency information from the City of Los Angeles
    • Visit Ready LA County's Emergency Notifications cross-agency directory to register for alerting systems that operate where you work, attend school, or regularly visit.
  2. What is my shelter plan?
  3. What is my evacuation route?   
  4. What is my family/household communication plan? 
  5. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
AND, check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and LA County Public Health to update emergency plans based on current health issues.

 

STEP 2:  Consider specific needs in your household

As you prepare your plan, tailor your steps and supplies to your specific daily-living needs and responsibilities.  Discuss your unique situations and how people in your circle of contacts can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like operating medical equipment.  Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.  Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:
 
Shows drawing of a digital checklist on a smartphone device.
  • Different ages of members within your household
  • Responsibilities for assisting others 
  • Locations frequented
  • Dietary and/or medical needs (including prescriptions and equipment)
  • Disabilities or access and functional needs (including devices and equipment)
  • Languages spoken
  • Cultural and religious considerations
  • Pets or service animals
  • Households with school-aged children 
  •  

See also, LA City's Emergency Preparedness Quick Reference Guide.

 

STEP 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use it as a guide to create your own.

 

STEP 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

There are many easily accessible resources for LA City residents, businesses, and visitors. LA's Emergency Management Department offers the following:

  • Register for NotifyLA local emergency alerts.
  • Find many Ready Your LA Neighborhood (RYLAN) preparedness tools and videos for home and family.
  • Help prepare your neighbors. Request a RYLAN community workshop from EMD.
  • Make your workplace and employees disaster- and recovery-ready with easy-to-use Ready Your LA Business workbooks.
  • Get the NEXT generation of emergency managers and first responders excited about next year’s Camp ReadyLA: Emerg-Genz. 
  • Follow LA City Emergency Management (@ReadyLA) on social media – “X”, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Nextdoor.
  • As each widespread local emergency unfolds, check for EMD’s latest info at: Emergency.LACity.gov/Updates

 

Additional Resources: