Planning before a disaster is a key part of being prepared. Come up with a plan that encompasses everything from a fire in your kitchen to a large bay area earthquake. Go towww.californiavolunteers.org family plan page to download the forms and fill out a disaster plan. Make sure your plan includes these key elements:

• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Identify an out-of-town contact
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Identify a place to reunite if you and members of your family are separated
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Learn the policies of schools and day care centers your children attend regarding their release after an emergency
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Identify someone to pick up your children if you are unable to do so
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Consider the needs of infants, seniors, persons with disabilities.
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Develop and provide each member of your family with an emergency evacuation plan that includes a floor plan and at least two ways out of each room
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Include plans for seniors, infants and those with disabilities
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Include plans for your pets and large animals since they are NOT allowed in Red Cross shelters (though the Palo Alto Animal Services Provides Shelter for animals brought to the Palo Alto Red Cross Shelter)
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Develop a family phone tree or other mechanism family members can use to contact one another if they are separated
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Identify at least two evacuation routes and provide them to responsible family members
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Identify important documents to take with you if you have to leave
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Insurance policies
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Medical records
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Driver’s license
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Mortgage information
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Find the shutoff valves for gas, water and electricity.
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Teach responsible family members how to shut off all utilities.
  • http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet2.gif); padding-left: 18px; margin-left: -5px; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 3px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Contact your utility company if you have any questions.
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Secure water heaters, major appliances, tall heavy pieces of furniture, hanging plants, mirrors and picture frames to the wall studs.
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Store breakables, heavy objects, flammable or hazardous liquids, including paints, pest sprays and cleaning products, in secured cabinets or lower shelves.
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Organize your neighborhood to be self-sufficient after an earthquake.
• http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/img/00/icons/bullet1.gif); padding-left: 13px; margin-left: 13px; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Conduct practice drills every six months 

If you are disabled or elderly and may need assistance, establish support teams of people who can assist you at home, work or school. If you need assistance with transportation, pre-identify options such as paratransit, dial-a-ride, taxi, a friend or a neighbor to transport you to evacuation centers or shelters.

If you’re dependent on equipment that needs power, regularly charge devices and have back-up options available. 

Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross to learn their plans for emergency shelters and temporary medical centers.

For more Information go check out the Palo Alto Neighborhoods website; Click Here.

Make a Plan- Emergency Preparedness from Palo Alto Videos on Vimeo.