Disaster Planning

The following information is provided as a reference only.  Individuals must make personal choices about when and how to safely evacuate by considering all of the circumstances in a given situation.

Family Disaster Plan

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.  Remember, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.
What would you do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones were cut off?
Families cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team.
Knowing what to do is your best protection – and it’s your responsibility.
You can download a Family Disaster Plan and Personal Survival Guide at the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services Website.

Plan Your Evacuation 

Have a pre-arranged meeting place for the family to gather outside the home so you know everyone is out and safe.
Just as you should have a place to meet outside your home, your evacuation plan should also consider alternate routes out of your neighborhood in case the usual one becomes blocked.  
Make a list of items you want to take with you during an evacuation. Here’s an example, but prepare your own list.

• Prescriptions, medications
• Eyeglasses
• Important documents (birth certificates, passports, insurance papers, personal phone and address books, tax records, personal finance floppy discs, children’s school records, inoculation & vaccination records, photos)
• Pets, pet food, water, bowls, leash, carrier
• Child's favorite toy
• Keep your “Important Stuff” list handy
• Keep sturdy boxes ready for collecting things on your list
• Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

 Emergency Supply Kit 
When fire threatens, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit that includes items you’ll need if you have to evacuate. Store them in easy-to-carry containers, such as back packs, plastic crates, etc. 

• A three-day water supply (1 gallon per person per day)
• A three-day food supply that won’t spoil and a way to open it
• One change of clothing and shoes per person
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person
• A first aid kit that includes family prescriptions
• Spare eyeglasses
• Sunglasses and goggles
• Emergency tools
• Work gloves
• Battery powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries
• Extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or travelers checks
• Toiletries
• Special items for infants, elderly and or disabled
• Leash, pet food and water for 3 days
• Plan how you will transport your pet.   Get a transport cage, if possible.
• If you have large animals, learn how to prepare. Call your local Department of Animal Services or Humane Society.
• If possible, involve your children in the planning – let them feel they are part of the process
• Review and update your “Important Stuff” list & Emergency Supply Kit periodically

You may not be home when wild fire threatens. Make arrangements in advance to attend to persons or pets that will be home when you are not. 
When local phones are disrupted in a disaster, long distance lines are often still functioning. It’s wise to pre-arrange with a distant relative or friend to call them in a local disaster to let family members know you are OK.     
If you let that distant contact know that your family has evacuated and is safe, other distant family members (who know the plan in advance) can check in with him/her too, and learn where you are and that you are OK.    
For more disaster preparedness resources visit the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.
Community Protection and Evacuation Plan (CPEP) development assistance is also available through the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.