Planning for Emergencies
Create an Emergency Plan
A strong emergency plan helps keep you and your loved ones safe when the unexpected happens. Make sure your plan covers key steps — like how you’ll evacuate, stay in touch, and reunite if you’re separated during a disaster.
Every household is different. Some families may need to plan for medical needs, children, pets, or other special situations.
Use this guide as your starting point. Review your household’s needs, adjust the plan as you go, and add any details to make it work for you.
Start with a Household Assessment
Begin the process of creating your emergency plan by discussing the questions below with your family, friends, and household members.
- Has everyone signed up for emergency alerts and warnings? Does everyone know what their Genasys Protect evacuation zone is?
- What is our evacuation route?
- Where do we all meet if we're separated? Identify three places: one outside your house, one in your neighborhood, and one outside of Oakland.
- What is our communication plan? See next section for ideas.
- Do I need to update (or create) my "Go Bag" or "Stay Kit"?
- Have we considered specific needs for our household? See the special considerations below for some ideas on topics to address, but add your own as it applies to your household.
- Have we updated the plan recently and have we practiced the plan recently?
Take a walk around the interior and exterior of your home. Take note of things that could become hazards during an emergency such as unanchored bookcases that could fall over and block an exit during an earthquake, or a stack of firewood against the exterior of your home that could be a fire hazard during a wildfire.
This is a great opportunity to check the batteries and functionality of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
Document Your Plan
Write everything down so that you remember what you have decided on. Ready.gov has an online form generator that can create a PDF for you.
Consider online storage for the document you create so that other household members have access to it when they are not at home. When it is time to update your plan, you now have a documented plan to review and edit.
Provide a copy to your out-of-area emergency contact so they know what to expect and how to help direct household members as they check in.
Establish a Communications Plan
When disaster strikes, your family or household members may be in different places — and phone or internet service might be down or overloaded. That’s why it’s so important to plan how you’ll reach each other and stay in touch during an emergency.
Talk with your household about how you’ll communicate in different situations, and make sure everyone knows the plan before an emergency happens.
Before
- Designate an out-of-area emergency contact. This person will be the person everyone calls to report that they are OK and inquire about the status of other household members and to coordinate reunification. During a disaster, it may be easier to call a phone number outside of the area impacted by a disaster than calling someone who may be in an area with damaged telecommunications equipment.
- Have a list of emergency contacts in your cell phone and near your home phone. Consider uploading a copy into the cloud in case your phone is damaged or without power. You may be able to borrow a phone from a coworker or community member to check your cloud copy.
- Agree on a familiar meeting place, both in your neighborhood and outside of the immediate area in case you cannot get in touch or are unable to go home.
- Program your emergency contact in your smartphone's "In Case of Emergency" or "Emergency Contact" feature
- Create a contact card with important phone numbers including an out of area contact. Leave this card in your child's backpack.
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 for help.
- Create a text message group. Text messages can often get around network disruptions and congestion when phone calls cannot.
- Stay Informed. Subscribe to AC Alert and opt-in for alerts for all frequently visited locations (home, work, school, etc.)
During
- If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
- Avoid making phone calls except in serious emergencies. If you must make a call, keep the conversation brief. Help keep phone lines clear for people who need to reach emergency services.
- For non-emergency communication, use text messages, email, or social media messaging instead of phone calls.
- Keep your out-of-town contact updated on your location and condition.
Use 3-1-1 to Report Public Works Problems
If you want to report a non-urgent public works problem, use the OAK 3-1-1 app.
To report urgent issues, call 3-1-1. On a cell phone, you can also call (510) 615-5566.
Examples of urgent 3-1-1 issues:
- Downed sign
- Traffic Signal Outage not related to a neighborhood wide power outage
- Flooding
- Sewer Overflow
- Fallen trees or branches not requiring emergency medical assistance
Examples of non-urgent 3-1-1 issues:
- Illegal dumping
- Graffiti on public property
- Potholes
- Abandoned vehicles
- Non-urgent infrastructure concerns on public property
After
Let friends and family know you are safe and well.
Depending on the scope of the disaster, the American Red Cross may establish a reunification assistance program.
Review all your plans together as a household. Change or update plans as necessary so that you are better prepared in a future emergency.
Additional Considerations
Medical, Access, and Functional Needs
Create a Personal Support Network
Your personal network is made up of the people you can count on before, during, and after an emergency. This might include family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends from community groups, faith organizations, or clubs you’re part of.
Stay connected and make sure everyone in your network knows how to help and communicate when a disaster happens.
Complete a Personal Assessment
Take time to think about what you can do on your own and where you might need help before, during, and after a disaster. Understanding your needs now will make it easier to stay safe and comfortable later.
Make a list of your personal needs and the resources you rely on — like transportation, medical devices, or access to food and supplies. Then consider how those might be affected by things like power outages, damaged roads, or internet disruptions. Planning ahead helps you find solutions before an emergency happens.
Some topics to consider:
- Personal Care
- Water Service
- Assistive Equipment and adaptive devices
- Electricity-Dependent Equipment
- Prescription Medication
Mobility Considerations
- In your home or workplace will you be able to escape during and after a disaster? Would falling items or debris block your path or make it hard to use a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility device?
- Do you need a specially equipped vehicle or accessible transportation?
- How do you leave your building if the elevator is not working?
- Do I have someone I can call if I need help evacuating?
Service Animals
- Have I packed supplies for my service animals? Food, water, hygiene, medication?
- Do I have copies of any relevant documentation for my service animals? Immunization and medical records?
Read the American Red Cross and FEMA produced guide for more information and checklists
Children and Dependent Adults
If you have children and dependent adults, you will need to adjust your supplies to care for their needs. You may also need to think about reunification plans if you are at work and your dependent is at school or care facility.
Reunification Plans
Consider these questions:
- What is your plan if you are at work during a major emergency and your child needs to be picked up?
- What if the bridges are damaged and BART service is suspended for safety inspections following an earthquake?
- What if you are a disaster service worker and cannot leave work?
Make sure you have on file with your child or dependent's school or care facility a list of authorized individuals who can pick up your child in case you cannot make it there. Find out what that facility's plans are for emergencies, evacuations, and reunification. If the school or care facility needs to evacuate, how will they communicate your child's location to you?
Extra Supplies
You will need to increase the quantity of supplies you have on hand including clothing, food, water, and medications. Is your dependent able to help carry items? If not, you will need to consider how to carry all the items yourself.
In addition to extra supplies for your dependent, consider packing one or two sensory toys and activities for them to keep them entertained if you need to stay at an emergency shelter for a period of time.
Pet Preparedness
Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders at risk.
Imagine an unexpected disaster or emergency occurs and you only have 30 minutes to evacuate.
- Can you gather all of your pets into carriers?
- Do you have enough carriers for the number of pets you have?
- Are your pets wearing identification or are they chipped?
- Do you know what items you need to pack for your pets if you cannot return to your home for some time?
Watch a short video on Pet Preparedness
Related Links
Remember to consider the specific needs of your household and include items and plans that apply to your situation.