Preparedness

Emergencies can occur at any time.

Potentially hazardous events that might occur in Winnebago County include:

  • Flood
  • Tornadoes
  • Chemical/hazardous material releases (e.g. industrial accident or act of terrorism)
  • Wildfires
  • Radiation releases (e.g. industrial accident or act of terrorism)

The Office of Emergency Management has specific recommendations on how you and your family can prepare for any type of emergency.

The three most important steps in emergency preparedness are:

Establish A Family Emergency Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to prepare a family emergency plan that will help you respond to any emergency situation.

It is important to:

  • Discuss the type of disasters that could occur.
  • Plan how to prepare for and respond to each type of disaster.
  • Discuss where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate.  Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
  • Establish two meeting places:
    • Outside your home in case of a sudden emergency.
    • A local church, school or other pre-established location if you can't return to your home following the emergency.  Make sure each family member knows the address/contact information for your meeting places.
  • Choose an out-of-state friend as a "check-in contact" for everyone to call.  Make sure every member of your family knows the contact's phone number.
  • Write down important contact numbers on a family emergency contact card and give a copy to each family member.
  • Make sure to have a plan for your pets.
  • Practice and maintain your plan.  Every six months you should:
    • Review your Family Emergency Plan and practice fire and emergency evacuation drills.
    • Review emergency information including contact information with children.
    • Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
    • Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
    • Replace stored food and water and replenish items in emergency supplies kit as necessary.

Prepare an Emergency Response Kit for Your Pet

Food

  • Two-week supply
  • Manual can opener

Water

  • Two-week supply

Bowls

  • For food and water that attach to cage

Portable Carrier / Crate

  • Large enough for pet to stand and turn around in
  • Each pet in separate crate

Identification

  • Collar, tab and leash
  • Microchip (Registered with national database)
  • Current photo of every pet with owner (to prove that you are the pet's owner)

First Aid Kit

  • First Aid Guide Book
  • Roller Bandages
  • Scissors
  • Gauze
  • Antibiotic Ointment
  • Medications
  • Medical records (stored in a waterproof container or plastic zip bag)

Cat Litter and Litter Box

  • Litter scooper

Cleaning Supplies

  • Paper towels
  • Disinfectant
  • Plastic trash bags
  • Hand sanitizer
  • "Quick Bath" wipes
  • Plastic poop bags

Prepare An Emergency Supply Kit

 

 

Tips for Making Your Kit

  • Keep loose items in airtight plastic bags.
  • Gather the kit's items in easy-to-carry containers or duffel bags.  Put them within reach, near the exit you use most often.
  • Check and update your kit at least once a year.
  • Your Emergency Supply Kit should include 3 to 14 days supply of the following items.

The Basics

  • Drinking water (1 gallon per person per day)
  • Manual can opener
  • Nonperishable foods*
  • Canned meat, fish, fruit or vegetables
  • Bread in moisture proof packaging
  • Cookies, candy or dried fruit
  • Canned soups and nonperishable milk
  • Powdered or single serve drinks
  • Cereal or granola bars
  • Packaged ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise
  • Peanut better and jelly
  • Instant tea or coffee
  • Flashlight (1 per person)*
  • Portable battery powered lanterns
  • Large trash bags (lots of them)
  • Battery operated radio *
  • Extra batteries, including hearing aid batteries
  • First aid kit including aspirin, antibiotic cream
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sunscreen (45 SPF recommended)
  • Waterproof matches / butane lighter
  • Money *
  • Unscented bleach or water purification tablets (add 8 drops of bleach per gallon)
  • Maps of the area with landmarks on it

Cooking

  • Sterno fuel
  • Portable camp stove or grill w/utensils
  • Stove fuel, charcoal w/lighter fluid or propane
  • Disposable eating utensils, plates, cups
  • Napkins and paper towels
  • Aluminum foil
  • Oven mitts

Personal Supplies

  • Prescription medicines (1 month supply and copy of prescriptions) *
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Toilet Paper
  • Entertainment: books, games, toys and magazines *
  • Bedding: pillows, sleeping bag *
  • Change of clothing *
  • Rain ponchos and work gloves
  • Extra eye glasses or contacts

Important Documents *

  • Insurance documents
  • A list of all your important contacts (family, doctors, insurance agents)
  • Banking information
  • Leases / Mortgage
  • Proof of occupancy (such as utility bill) *
  • Photo inventory of your personal belongings *
  • Waterproof container to keep the documents in

Babies

  • Disposable diapers *
  • Formula, food and medication *
  • Bottles and feeding utensils

Pet Supplies

  • Dry and/or canned food
  • ID tags and collars
  • Proof of recent immunizations
  • Water (1/2 gallon per day)
  • Litter box and supplies
  • Carrying container

Other Necessities

  • Tool box
  • ABC rated fire extinguisher
  • Masking tape or duct tape
  • Outdoor extension cords
  • Spray paint
  • Standard single line phone (that does not require electricity)
  • Local phone book
  • Roofing tarps or plastic sheeting

 

* If you are planning to evacuate to a Red Cross Evacuation Center, please be sure to take these items.