Emergency Preparedness 10 Week Challenge

Be prepared for the next disaster!

Please watch this video to get started on our 10 week challenge. We will be posting one new challenge each week for 10 weeks starting September 10th.  If you want to sign up to receive the weekly challenges by email, you may do so by sending a request to info@cityofsandy.com

We spend hours of every day preparing – for the day, a big presentation at work, or a family meal. But when was the last time you took steps to prepare your family for a disaster? Taking simple steps, like making a family plan and gathering disaster supplies will help protect you and your family.

We challenge you to be prepared!  Your challenge is to spend 30 minutes per week completing one small task so that by the end of a 10-week period your family will be prepared for any disaster.

Week 1: Create a family emergency communication plan
Week 2: Learn about the Cascadia Subduction Zone
Week 3: Start building your Stay Kit
Week 4: Complete your Stay Kit
Week 5: Build your Go Kit
Week 6: Build your child’s Go Kit
Week 7: Learn to appropriately store water
Week 8: Organize important documents
Week 9: Prepare your pet’s kit
Week 10: The complete pantry

Get READY!  And get PREPARED!

 Week 1: Create a Family Communications Plan

It took six months for the last child to be reunited with her family following Hurricane Katrina.

It may seem scary to talk to your children about emergencies, or maybe it just never seems like the right time. That’s normal. But thinking and talking through worst-case scenarios can help prevent them from becoming worst-case realities. Ultimately, children will feel safer knowing what to do and understanding that adults are equipped to protect them.

Create a Family Communication Plan

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 Week 2: Learn About the Cascadia Subduction Zone
  • The quake-maker
  • Secure your Space

Earthquake shaking can move almost anything, even large or heavy items.  Imagine your home being picked up and shaken sideways...what would be through around?  How can you prevent it?  Watch this video about the Cascadia Subduction Zone put together by the Oregon State University IDEAS Visualization Team.

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 Week 3: Start Building Your Stay Kit

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life. Headed to the store? Download a printable version to take with you. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.

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 Week 4: Complete Your Stay Kit

This week make sure you have the following items in your stay kit:

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 Week 5: Build Your "Go-Kit" Week 5 of the Prepare-A-Thon: Create your Go-Kit

A Go-Kit is a kit of items you can take with you if you need to quickly evacuate. Many people store a Go-Kit in their vehicle as well as in their house. The kit can come in useful if you are stuck somewhere with your vehicle.

This week make sure you have the following items stored in your vehicle or in a place that you can easily grab should you need to evacuate:

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 Week 6: Build Your Kid's "Go-Kit"

This week, build your child’s Go-Kit:

  • “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) Contact Card
  • Family photo
  • Protein bar/snack
  • Water
  • Small toy/activity
  • Glow stick
  • Hygiene supplies
  • Socks, gloves
  • Medicine
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 Week 7: Learn to Appropriately Store Water!
  • This is the most important item in your emergency kit! 
  • Store at least one gallon of water per person per day, and add an extra gallon per pet.
  • Click here for more info (Ready.gov)
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 Week 8: Organize Important Documents

Being ready for a disaster is more than storing water and supplies. You also need to safeguard your finances and important papers.

Important Papers:

This week scan the following documents and save them to a flash drive to keep in your go-kit:

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 Week 9: Prepare Your Pet's Kit

Yes, man’s best friend also needs an emergency supply kit! (Unless you plan on feeding him your canned tuna)

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets.

What’s the most important emergency item for your pet? A collar with identification!

Other important items to prepare this week: 

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 Week 10: Learn Guidelines For Parents To Follow In A Crisis Oregon Trail School District: Guidelines for parents to follow during a crisis

A school emergency can take many forms: a natural hazard, such as an earthquake or severe weather event; or an intruder in the school. We all hope it never happens, but we steadfastly prepare in case it does.

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