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St. Mary's County, Maryland
Est. 1637
Office Status: Normal
Employee Information

Make a Plan

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Conduct a Hazard Analysis

Think about the different hazards that may impact you and your family. Remember that emergency planning is a continual process, and your plans should be revisited and updated regularly. Some common plans to have in place are:

  • Evacuation Plan
  • Shelter-in-Place Plan
  • Communication Plan
  • Records Management Plan

Evacuation Plan

Many kinds of emergencies can cause you and your family to have to evacuate. In some cases, there may be a day or two to prepare while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning is vital to making sure that you can evacuate quickly and safely no matter what the circumstances.

Things to think about when planning an evacuation:

  • Where will you and your family go?
  • How will you get there?
  • What are the nearest recommended evacuation routes in your area?
  • Who will you inform of your location?
  • What will you bring with you?

Additional Information:

TIP!

Practicing your plans before an emergency can make things a lot easier during an emergency, especially if you have young children in your family.

Shelter-in-Place Plan

Sometimes there are situations when it’s best to stay where you are and avoid being outside. Whether you are at home, work or anywhere else you frequent regularly, it is important to have a plan.

Things to think about when planning to shelter-in-place:

  • Where in your home will you go?
  • What supplies will you have available?
  • How can you make your home as safe and stable as possible?

Additional Information:

Communication Plan

During some types of emergencies, communicating with your loved ones may be a challenge. Developing a plan to get in contact with your family and friends during an emergency situation can be vital to ensuring their safety and finding peace of mind knowing how everyone is doing.

Things to think about when planning emergency communication:

  • Who will you need to contact during an emergency?
  • How will people contact you during an emergency?
  • How will people contact you after an emergency?
  • Is there an out-of-state point of contact that your family can identify to communicate with in case local communication systems are unavailable?

Document Management Plan

It is important to keep your personal records and documents safe during an emergency. Certain documents should be brought with you in case of an evacuation, and others should be safely stored so they can be accessed after an emergency. Safe places to store important documents include in a fireproof and waterproof safe, with a trusted loved one, or in a bank safety deposit box.

Important documents to consider:

  • Personal identification
  • Health information
  • Copies of insurance policies
  • Bank account records
  • Pet vaccination records
  • Birth certificates
  • Wills
  • House deed
  • Car title
TIP!

Keep a written list of important contact information. If your phone runs out of battery or loses service, you may not have access to your contact list.

Tips for Your Family Emergency Plan

  • Learn about the emergency plans that are already established in places that you go frequently (school, work, daycare, gym, etc).
  • Meet with your family and discuss why you need to plan for emergencies.
  • Keep it simple. Disasters are stressful and can create confusion, keeping your plan simple so everyone can remember the important details.
  • Practice your family emergency plans.
  • Take a basic first aid and CPR class.
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