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Emergency Prep
When disaster strikes, you may find yourself in a situation where you will need to be able to survive on your own for 72 hours or more without access to power, water or transportation. Getting prepared may seem difficult or time consuming, but with a little help from the basic information and resources provided here, you, your family, and your pets will be ready for almost anything!
Part of being prepared is A) understanding which emergencies or disasters are most likely to occur in your area; B) having and practicing a family emergency plan; C) having an emergency preparedness kit; D) having at least one member of your household trained in first aid and CPR; E) being active in assisting your community to be prepared.
Most Likely Emergencies In the Gila Bend Area
Based upon the location of the Town of Gila Bend, the most likely scenarios for an emergency or disaster situation are the following:
1. Power Outages
2. Severe Weather Alerts (Heat and Cold)
3. Chemical or Hazardous Material Emergencies (household or industrial)
4. Nuclear Power Plant
Making Your Emergency Kit
An important part of emergency preparedness is having an emergency kit or an All Hazards kit. Your kit should be waterproof and easy-to-carry in the event you need to evacuate.The supplies that go into your kit could greatly impact your survival. It is also recommended that you keep another emergency kit in each vehicle for travel or roadside emergencies.
Types of Emergency Kits
- Basic Emergency Kit
- Deaf or Hearing Impaired
- Blind or Low-vision
- Speech Impaired
- Mobility Impaired
- Behavioral Needs
- For Pets
Water – one gallon per person, per day (three day supply for evacuation, two week supply for home)
Food – non-perishable, easy to prepare items (three day supply for evacuation, two week supply for home)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery -powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) and extra batteries
First aid kit and supplies (whistle, antibiotic ointment, gauze bandages, face masks, gloves, tweezers, needle and thread) and reference book
Medications (seven day supply) and medicinal dispensers if necessary
Multi-purpose supplies (wrench, pliers, plastic sheet, duct tape, scissors, matches)
Rain Gear
Sanitation/personal hygiene items and bleach
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Emergency Disaster Plan (and emergency contact information)
Extra cash
Emergency blanket, extra clothes, sleeping bag (at least one for each person)
Tools, map(s) of the area, and other items to meet your unique family needs
An extra set of house keys and car keys
Food – non-perishable, easy to prepare items (three day supply for evacuation, two week supply for home)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery -powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) and extra batteries
First aid kit and supplies (whistle, antibiotic ointment, gauze bandages, face masks, gloves, tweezers, needle and thread) and reference book
Medications (seven day supply) and medicinal dispensers if necessary
Multi-purpose supplies (wrench, pliers, plastic sheet, duct tape, scissors, matches)
Rain Gear
Sanitation/personal hygiene items and bleach
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Emergency Disaster Plan (and emergency contact information)
Extra cash
Emergency blanket, extra clothes, sleeping bag (at least one for each person)
Tools, map(s) of the area, and other items to meet your unique family needs
An extra set of house keys and car keys
A weather radio with text display and a flashing alert
Extra hearing-aid batteries
A TTY
Pen and paper in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
Extra hearing-aid batteries
A TTY
Pen and paper in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language
Additional Items:
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies, and where you bought it, on a portable flash drive, or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
Keep a Braille, or Deaf-Blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
Keep a Braille, or Deaf-Blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.
Additional Items:
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep Model information, where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.)
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.
Additional Items:
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
If you use a power wheelchair, if possible, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
Extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive
technology devices. If you are unable to purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations,
or local charitable groups can help you with the purchase.
Trickle charger for extra batteries
Patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is
not puncture proof.
Extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
Extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive
technology devices. If you are unable to purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations,
or local charitable groups can help you with the purchase.
Trickle charger for extra batteries
Patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is
not puncture proof.
Extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.
Additional Items:
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal
Plan for children with disabilities and people including individuals who may have post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.
This may include handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), sheets and twine or a small pop up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy, headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
This may include handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), sheets and twine or a small pop up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy, headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
Food. At least a three day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water. At least three days of water specifically for your pets.
Medicines and medical records.
Important documents. Registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents. Talk to your veterinarian about micro-chipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
First aid kit. Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Including a pet first aid reference book is a good idea too.
Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
Crate or pet carrier. Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier in case you need to evacuate. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you. Add species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet
Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
Evacuate animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers.
Ensure destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.
If evacuation is not possible, animal owners must decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.
Take extra time to observe livestock, looking for early signs of disease and injury. Severe cold-weather injuries or death primarily occur in the very young or in animals that are already debilitated.
Animals suffering from frostbite don’t exhibit pain. It may be up to two weeks before the injury becomes evident as the damaged tissue starts to slough away. At that point, the injury should be treated as an open wound and a veterinarian should be consulted.
Make sure your livestock has the following to help prevent cold-weather problems:
Plenty of dry bedding to insulate vulnerable udders, genitals and legs from the frozen ground and frigid winds
Windbreaks to keep animals safe from frigid conditions. Plenty of food and water.
Water. At least three days of water specifically for your pets.
Medicines and medical records.
Important documents. Registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents. Talk to your veterinarian about micro-chipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
First aid kit. Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Including a pet first aid reference book is a good idea too.
Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
Crate or pet carrier. Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier in case you need to evacuate. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you. Add species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet
For Large Animals:
If you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs on your property, be sure to prepare before a disaster. Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
Evacuate animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers.
Ensure destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.
If evacuation is not possible, animal owners must decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.
Take extra time to observe livestock, looking for early signs of disease and injury. Severe cold-weather injuries or death primarily occur in the very young or in animals that are already debilitated.
Animals suffering from frostbite don’t exhibit pain. It may be up to two weeks before the injury becomes evident as the damaged tissue starts to slough away. At that point, the injury should be treated as an open wound and a veterinarian should be consulted.
Make sure your livestock has the following to help prevent cold-weather problems:
Plenty of dry bedding to insulate vulnerable udders, genitals and legs from the frozen ground and frigid winds
Windbreaks to keep animals safe from frigid conditions. Plenty of food and water.
Creating a Plan
Get together with your family or household to formulate a disaster plan. Consider how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen in your area. The following is a list of things to consider in your plan: List the types of emergencies in your area
Pick 2 meeting places, 1 outside of your home and another outside of your community if you cannot get back to your home.
Plan your evacuation route(s)
Have a plan for your pets if you are unable to evacuate them (have a neighbor or someone get them)
Create a contact card for each member
Choose an emergency contact
Determine the best escape routes out of your home