Get a Kit! Make a Plan! Be Informed!
For you and family: Grab’n’Go Kit
If you have to leave, have it ready and near your exit. In an emergency, seconds count.
- Practical clothing and shoes
- Toiletry items
- Personal documents (copies)
- Personal Identification (copies)
- Cash/credit cards
- Medication & medical items, 3 day supply
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
- House keys
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit with reference guide
For your home: 72 Hour Kit
All homes should have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours.
- One gallon of water per person/per day
- Non-perishable food i.e. energy bars, canned/dried meat, fish, fruit, & nuts
- Manual can opener
- Duct tape
- Plastic sheeting / tarp
- Dust masks
For your Car
- Booster cables
- Fuel (full tank)
- Car keys
- Blanket
- Fire extinguisher
- Maps
- Shovel
- First aid kit with reference guide
- Flashlight with extra batteries
For your pet
- Leash and collar with ID
- Vaccine record
- 3 day supply of food and water
- Bowls
- Medication
- Picture of you with your pet
- Crate/carrier
Family Communication Plan
It is often easier to call or text long-distance than locally during disasters. Ask someone to serve as your out-of-town contact person. Your contact person can relay messages among family and friends if you cannot contact one another directly. Make sure everyone has the name and number of the contact person.
Ready to use plans can be found at www.ready.gov
The American Red Cross, Safe and Well program is a tool for people affected by a disaster to enter information about their wellbeing so family and friends can check on them. Find it at the Red Cross website, redcross.org or call 1-866-GET-INFO.
Shelter-in-Place
Depending on the situation, it may be safest to stay where you are during an emergency. Have a plan to Shelter-in-Place either for the duration of the event or until you can safely evacuate to a shelter or other location. When Sheltering-in-place it may be advisable to do the following:
- Close all windows, doors and dampers.
- Turn off fans and air conditioners or any devices that draw outside air in.
- Go to a safe area of the house away from windows and doors.
Evacuation
If you or authorities determine that evacuation is necessary, it is important to do so in a calm and organized way.
- Secure your home
- Shut off appliances and utilities. Know ahead of time where and how to turn off gas, electricity and water supply.
- Bring your Grab’n’Go Kit
Medical Information
Store medical and medication information on a thumb/jump drive in addition to having paper copies. If you have File of Life or Vial of Life, keep it up-to-date and bring it if you evacuate.
Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count. It is critical to stay informed of rapidly changing conditions during disasters and emergencies. Plan how you will receive weather and news alerts. Make sure family, friends and neighbors are getting emergency information and instructions.
Portable Radio
Have a solar, crank or battery operated (with extra batteries) radio preferably with a weather frequency. If you evacuate, take it with you
CodeRED
All individuals and businesses should register in the CodeRED System to receive information and instructions from local officials during emergencies. The CodeRED emergency notification system sends messages directly to your phone. It is important to make sure all your phone numbers are registered in the system. To do so, go to the official website for your community and follow the link.
Emergency Alert System
The national public warning system is also used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information through cable, satellite, digital and wireless radio and television broadcast systems.
Social Media & Web Aps
Federal, state and local websites provide emergency information that can be followed using Twitter and Facebook. Web applications are available for news & weather alerts.
Local Shelter and Emergency Dispensing Sites
Essex Elementary School
Manchester Essex HS in Manchester
Fuller School building in Gloucester
Rockport High School
Be aware, other sites may be activated in your community as needed.
Important things to consider for your emergency plans
Your Phone System
- If you have a landline phone, be sure to have a hard-wired (not cordless) phone for when electrical power is out.
- If your phone service is through your cable network, find out about the network’s back-up battery system.
- If you use a cell phone, have car and AC phone chargers and bring them if you evacuate.
Personal Documents
Have printed copies of personal contacts, personal identification and medical and medication information. In addition, store it on a computer thumb/jump drive in case your documents are lost or damaged. If you do not have access or use a computer ask someone to do this for you. Keep your information current, review it annually and update it when changes are made. Include phone numbers and addresses for family, friends, physicians, pharmacy, insurance, veterinarian, and others. Store it in a waterproof bag.
Individuals Requiring Additional Assistance
If you or a member of your household may require additional assistance during an emergency related to dependence on life sustaining medical equipment, a mobility, hearing, vision, speech or cognitive impairment you may record this information in the Massachusetts 9-1-1 system’s Disability Indicator Program. To submit your information, download and complete the 9-1-1 Disability Indicator Form which can be found at: mass.gov/e911 and follow the instructions on how to submit the form or call your local Fire, Police or Health Department.