FEMA: Only half of Americans have emergency plans for family

September 3, 2014

Washington – Do you know what you and your family would do in case of an emergency? If you don’t, you’re not the only one.

Half of Americans have not talked about or created an emergency plan for their family on what to do during a disaster, according to FEMA.

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said in a press release that the first step of preparing for a disaster is talking to your family and making a plan. That includes knowing how you and your family will reconnect during and after an emergency.

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, FEMA and the Ad Council released public service advertisements in English and Spanish to promote emergency preparedness. In the PSAs, family members reunite safely at a pre-determined shelter, and parents look for their son after an emergency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers tips on its blog:

  • Prepare a kit (including a flashlight, radio, water, first aid kit, can opener and canned goods).
  • Teach your children important names, addresses and phone numbers.
  • Update emergency contact information.