The City of Mesquite has an Emergency Operations Plan that covers the actions of City forces during a disastrous event. Likewise, your family should have a plan that clearly details how your family should act when you hear a warning message. The more prepared you are, the less you have to ask, "WHAT DO WE DO?" Not only is last minute action planning scary, it is dangerous. By following the recommended actions listed below, your family can be ready for the next major hazardous event.

Develop Basic Information and Procedures

1. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. This information is available from the City of Mesquite Office of Emergency Management.
2. Based on the hazard information in the City of Mesquite's Hazard Analysis, decide what your family will do in each type of situation.
3. Talk with your employer and child's school(s) about their preparedness efforts and emergency plans. This should include more than a fire evacuation plan.
4. Meet with your family and discuss the need to prepare for a disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and chemical accidents to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
5. Pick two places to meet:
   a. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
   b. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know their address and phone number.
   
6. Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this family contact to get information about the emergency situation. Everyone must know your contact's phone number. This is important when the local phones do not work.
7. Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

Complete This Checklist

		Place emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
		Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1.
		Show each family member how and where to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
		Check if you have adequate insurance coverage that covers all types of disasters. It is only after the floodwaters come that many residents realize their homeowner's policy doesn't cover floods.
		Get training from the fire department for each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it is kept.
		Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
		Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
		Take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR class.
		Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
		Find safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
		Make copies of important papers and place them in your emergency plan. Some items you may want to include are wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks, and bonds, passports, Social Security Cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and company contacts, family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) and an inventory of valuable household goods

Practice and Maintain Your Plan

• Quiz your kids every six months about items in the Family Emergency Plan.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Replace stored water and food every six months.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Test your smoke detectors and emergency tone-alert radios monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year. Establish a schedule that is easy to remember. Many people change batteries when clocks are set for daylight savings and the change back to standard time.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home owner's association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for childcare in case parents can not get home. The City of Mesquite Office of Emergency Management will assist with neighborhood plan development.