Many people don't take the steps to prepared for a disaster because it can seem so overwhelming. This presentation breaks the process down into small actions spread out over 20 weeks culminating in National Preparedness Month in September. (Feel free to copy, edit, and use this for your own preparedness initiatives. The license chosen seemed to be the most open one I could find and includes attribution, but no need to credit the Public Works Group if you do use it.)

1. Are you prepared
for the next
disaster?
20 Steps to Prepare for a Disaster

2. Based on surveys,
many of us are not
ready for a
disaster.
Why is that?
Perhaps because
some find the task
is time-
consuming, costly,
not necessary, or
overwhelming.

3. But being prepared is the best way to ensure we
survive and recover as soon as possible.
So to make getting prepared a little easier, I broke it
down into 20 steps – one step per week
Join me over the next few months in assessing risks,
making a plan, and building a preparedness kit!
#weareprepared

4. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
#weareprepared
April
Know Your Risks
Find your local hazard mitigation plan either
online, at the library, or at your local
government office
Read the plan to determine the risks from
natural hazards in your area
Week 1
Find links to state plans:
https://arcg.is/1ayS8m

5. #weareprepared
Make your own plan
For each risk, determine how you will
prepare for and respond to disasters
Consider:
• Shelter
• Communication with others
• Access to warning systems
• Insurance needs
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
21 22 23 24 25 26 27April
Week 2

6. #weareprepared
Collect and Copy Important
Documents
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
28 29 30 1 2 3 4
April
May
Week 3

7. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
#weareprepared
May
Build a kit - Water
Start building your disaster supply kit
This week we will purchase water
The rule is one gallon of water per
person per day for 3 days (sanitation and
drinking)
Week 4

8. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
#weareprepared
May
Build a kit - Food
3-day supply of
Non-perishable food
Week 5

9. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
#weareprepared
May
Build a kit - Radio
Battery-powered or hand crank
radio and a NOAA Weather Radio
with tone alert
Week 6

10. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
26 27 28 29 30 31 1
#weareprepared
May
June
Build a kit
Flashlight/Batteries
Flashlight and
extra batteries
Week 7

11. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
#weareprepared
June
Build a kit
First Aid Kit
Week 8

12. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
#weareprepared
June
Build a kit
Whistle
Week 9

13. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
#weareprepared
June
Build a kit
Dust Mask
1 per person
Week 10

14. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
#weareprepared
June
Build a kit
Moist towelettes – garbage bags
Week 11

15. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
30 1 2 3 4 5 6
#weareprepared
June
July
Build a kit
Wrench or pliers
Week 12

16. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
#weareprepared
July
Build a kit
Manual can opener
Week 13

17. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
#weareprepared
July
Build a kit
Local Maps
Week 14

18. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
#weareprepared
July
Build a kit
Cell Phone with charger
Week 15

19. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
#weareprepared
July
Aug
Build a kit
Medications - Glasses
Week 16

20. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#weareprepared
Aug
Week 17
Build a kit
Miscellaneous Items
Feminine supplies
Personal Hygiene items
Matches in water proof container
Clothing
Backpack
Blanket
Cash

21. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
#weareprepared
Aug
Week 18
Build a kit
Special Needs
Baby items
• Diapers
• Formula
Items for children:
• Games
• Coloring books
• Cards
• Pencils/Pens

22. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
#weareprepared
Aug
Build a kit
Pet Items
Pet Food
Pet Medications
Water for pet
Week 19

23. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
25 26 27 28 29 30
#weareprepared
Aug
Build a kit
Container for Items
Week 20

24. #weareprepared
September
National Disaster
Preparedness Month is Here!