Ways to prepare yourself, your family, and your pets

• Make a Plan!

              - Meet with your family members        - Choose an "out of town" contact

              - Decide where to meet                      - Complete a family communication plan

              - Plan escape routes and safe places   - Plan for your pets

              - Plan for those with special needs      - Plan for different hazards

• Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit for your house and car!

• Maintain your plan and supply kit

• There are many websites that can help you and your family be prepared for disasters. Visit our links for disaster preparedness websites.

• The Mid-South Chapter of the Red Cross and Volunteer Mid-South are available to give disaster preparedness and volunteer opportunities presentations to groups of 15 or more.  Contact us to schedule a presentation.  

• You can also check out Ready.gov for more information direct from the United States government on disaster preparedness.  

• For information on informative two-day training about how you can help your family and neighbors in disasters go to the local Emergency Management Agency's website and register for CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team). 

• The Mid-South Chapter of the Red Cross also has basic disaster preparedness classes as well as more advanced classes targeted to Red Cross volunteers.  Call 726-1690 for a schedule of classes.

• And let's not forget about Man's Best Friend. Learn how to prepare your pets by going to The Humane Society of the United States website and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website.

• Contact Volunteer Mid-South about how to get involved and found out what great organizations are recruiting volunteers now!

• Get trained before a disaster strikes.