Preparing For A Crisis
| Adapted by WGU from WellConnect |
Whether its health events that impact our communities, wildfires in the west, or powerful hurricanes assailing coastal communities in the east, being prepared for the unexpected events life can throw at you will help you to better respond to and work through a crisis.
Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, blizzards— every emergency may have some unique elements that you need to be prepared to address, but at their very core, there are similarities that allow you to quickly and effectively prepare well in advance of any crisis. By taking the time to plan and prepare for an emergency, you will already be well on your way to being ready for whatever happens on or around your campus.
- Create a realistic plan. If you had to suddenly leave your residence, what would you take with you? Do you know where you’d go and what route you’d take? If you had to shelter in place, are you provided for or will you need supplies to last you for a week or a month? How much food and water do you require? Are you alone, sharing a space, or responsible for a loved one or pet? These are the kinds of questions you need to answer as you create a plan that will help you during a crisis. We say you need to create a realistic plan because it needs to consider that there are no magic solutions during an emergency. If your plan starts and ends with “Wait for help” or “Just leave town,” you’re not really planning for an emergency and potentially setting yourself up for a very difficult experience.
- Ready your supplies. If you were required to shelter in place, do you have enough food and water for two weeks? If not, consider your space and what you and those who reside with you will need in an emergency. Make copies of important documents, especially any prescriptions that you may need to have refilled. Create an emergency sheet that includes your blood type, and any allergies or health conditions medical professionals may need to be aware of, and who your emergency contact is. You don’t have to share this information with anyone directly, but if you become injured or incapacitated, it will help to ensure that you’re quickly and properly cared for.
- Make sure everyone in your residence is aware of what to do. If you live with a roommate, a partner, children, and/or an elderly individual, you need to make sure everyone is aware of your plans, where the supplies are kept, and what each person will be responsible for should a crisis develop. This could be as simple as making sure to pack a personal grab-and-go bag to being responsible for providing transportation or managing supplies. If each person has a role, each person has task to focus on that can help keep one’s thoughts focused and added anxiety away.
