Tips for creating an emergency preparedness plan from Coshocton EMA

COSHOCTON − September is National Preparedness Month with the Emergency Management Agency putting a focus on families being ready for any natural disaster or emergency event that might strike.

Coshocton County residents can be kept up to date on emergency situations via the Code Red calling system. One can sign up online to receive alerts when disasters strike. Calls can go out to every number in the database or to a targeted area depending on need.

Rob McMasters, director of the Coshocton County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, has shared tips on making a family emergency preparedness plan from ready.gov.

Put a plan together

An emergency plan should feature how one will receive emergency alerts and warnings, what's the shelter options, what are evacuation routes from the house, what is the family communication plan and what should be in an emergency preparedness kit.

Consider specific needs

Discuss needs and responsibilities of people in the home and how they can assist with communication, care of children, business, pets and other items, like operating medical equipment. Keep in mind ages of those in the household, responsibilities for assisting them, locations frequented, dietary needs, medical needs, disabilities, languages spoken, cultural and religious considerations and pets or service animals and school-aged children in the home.

Do what you can in advance

Take action before disaster strikes and make sure you've done all you can in advance. This includes signing up for alerts and warnings, practicing emergency drills, testing the communication plan, having emergency savings, safeguarding important documents, documenting and insuring important property, assembling and updating supplies and planning with neighbors.

A family plan template and other tips can be found online.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Create a family emergency plan for National Preparedness Month