Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community. This year’s National Preparedness focus is to turn awareness into action by encouraging all individuals and all communities nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan. Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere without notice. Households, businesses and organizations should prepare in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities, electricity, or water, without access to a supermarket or local services or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue.

Be prepared in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Preparing can start with three important steps:

1. Get an emergency supply kit. 
2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency. 
3. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.

Are You Ready? Take an emergency preparedness quiz!

• Quiz for adults
• Quiz for kids

Resources for Kids:

• Ready Kids (from FEMA) - Games and activities to teach chlidren about emergency preparedness  

Emergency Preparedness Apps:

• FEMA Disaster Preparedness App

Additional Resources: 

• WA State Emergency Management Division  
• WA State Emergency Management Preparedness Guide
• Ready.gov 
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) 
• American Red Cross - National Site
• American Red Cross - Local (Spokane) Chapter
• DisasterAssistance.gov
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)