Emergencies and disasters can happen at any time. Planning ahead before a disaster allows you to identify personal needs, prioritize tasks, and make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of an active emergency. Being prepared before wildfire strikes is critical.

Staying prepared for wildfire and other disasters involves three key actions: create an action plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, and develop a family communication plan. Preparing these elements in advance, and updating them annually, helps you stay focused and act quickly if evacuation becomes likely or necessary.

Take time to sit down with your family and discuss important topics such as signing up for local alerts and warnings, and identifying evacuation routes and meeting locations in case family members are at work or school when a wildfire occurs. This is also the right time to ensure each family member has a "go bag" stocked with essential supplies and knows where it is stored.

Every household has unique needs, so consider what specific considerations apply to yours, how those needs will be met, and who will be responsible for each task. This may include dietary or medical needs (such as prescriptions or medical equipment), pets, livestock, or service animals, disabilities or access needs, languages spoken at home, and any cultural or religious considerations.

Tips

Practice your plan with your household and walk through different scenarios, such as an emergency occurring on a weekday versus a weekend.

Be sure to share your plan with every member of your household so everyone knows what to do, especially if family members may be at work, school, or daycare when an emergency occurs.

Action Items

Complete a preparedness template available from Ready.gov or the American Red Cross, and make sure every household member has a copy.

Use a family communication plan template to ensure everyone knows how to reconnect if you are separated.

Review page 14 of the CAL FIRE Ready, Set, Go! brochure for a comprehensive checklist of what to include in your "go bag."