Step 4 Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed

GET A KIT

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. (Oxnard emergency officials suggest having enough supplies on hand for one week.) Everyone needs a kit at home, one at work or school, and another in your vehicle. Remember those with special needs (like children, the elderly, or those who require medical support) and your pets too! If your life depends on it, you should never be without it!

Top 10 Essential Items

MAKE A PLAN!

Your loved ones may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations. Take a few minutes today to discuss who your out of town phone contact will be (It may be easier to make a long distance call than to call across town.) and where you will meet if you can’t return to your home. You’ll not only know what to do but you’ll be giving yourself and those you care about peace of mind later on. It’s FREE too!

BE INFORMED!

Information is power! Throughout this booklet you will find a number of websites which offer a wealth of information. Take some time now to visit these sites and learn more about the hazards that can touch our community and what you can do to minimize their impact on you and your loved ones! Be able to be on your own!

GET INVOLVED!

Take advantage of FREE Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Classes are taught by Oxnard firefighters and focus on teaching you and your neighbors how to be self-sufficient in a disaster. Many CERT graduates are active participants in our community preparedness efforts. To learn more about CERT in Oxnard, or to sign up for training, call the Oxnard Fire Department at 385-7722. The American Red Cross and our local colleges also offer a variety of training opportunities. Check them out!

Helpful web sites:

Type your address to learn about natural hazards in your area – myhazards.caloes.ca.gov

Ventura County Internet- ReadyVenturaCounty.org

Next Step: Special Needs, Kids, Pets – If you need it to survive- Never be without it!