Bridgeport Office of Emergency Management

Family Plan
When preparing for an Emergency, think about the basics of survival first; fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Assemble Two (for each) Family & Pet Ready Emergency Kits. One of each to be located in the "home shelter" and one of each such that they can be portable if evacuation is necessary.

Family Ready Emergency Kit Checklist
First Aid Kit (include a whistle to signal for help)
Water 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, for drinking & sanitation
Food (at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food)
Can Opener
Infant formula & Supplies
Comfort Food (candy, cookies, lollipops, instant coffee and tea bags)
Aluminum foil
Blankets (sleeping bags)
Extra Clothing
Rain gear
Flashlight
Batteries
Battery operated radio
Matches
Wrench, screwdriver, pliers
Utility knife
Garbage bags and plastic ties
Feminine supplies & Personal Hygiene supplies
Gloves (for all members of the family)
Dust Mask
Plastic Bucket
Hand Sanitizer
Household Chlorine Bleach
Needle & Thread
Paper/pencils
Contact information of loved ones/friends
Important Documents (insurance information, deeds)

Include in Family First Aid Kit
Band-Aids (variety of sizes)
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Topical Ointments
Lubricant jelly
Alcohol Pads/Solution
Saline Solution/Rinse
Tweezers/Clippers
Scissors
Cotton Swabs
Insect Repellent
Dental Floss
Latex gloves
Moistened towelettes
Safety Pins
Medicine Dropper

Non Prescription Drugs
Antacid
Anti-diarrhea medication
Aspirin or other nonaspirin pain reliever
Eye Drops
Flu & Cold Remedies

Prescription Drugs
All prescription drugs for all members of the family in original bottles

Learn, Practice CPR and Basic First Aid...your family, friends and neighbors need you !!!



Pet Ready Emergency Kit Checklist

Plan/prepare
Place stickers on the front and back doors and windows of your home, pasture entrances and barn doors to alert First Responders of animals on the property in case you are not home during the time of an emergency/disaster.

Ask a neighbor to tend to your pets if you are not home if an emergency/disaster occurs. Provide them with a key to access your pets and inform them of where your Pet
Ready Emergency Kit is stored.

Keep a signed letter in the Pet Ready Emergency Kit that releases your neighbor from responsibility if your pet becomes injured or is not able to be rescued during a time of crisis. Provide your neighbor a copy of this document. Remember the "in good faith" principal.

Supplies
Collar with ID tags (pets should wear rabies and ID tags at all times)
Leash or other safe pet restraints (muzzles)
Crate or airline-approved plastic carrier
Food for 3 days in a airtight, waterproof container
Water in addition to the family water supply
Food and Water Bowls
First Aid Kit
Sanitation supplies (Pet Litter and/or litter box, newspapers, paper towels, trash bags)
Medicines in a waterproof container
Vaccination records
Picture of a family member and Pet (assist in identifying pet if it becomes separated from the family, proof of ownership)
Toy or comfort object (to help minimize stress)
Dog/cat sweater
Blankets
Bedding

Include in Pet First Aid Kit

Bandages
Bandage tape
Gauze pads
Eye Rinse (sterile)
Alcohol pads or solution
Lubricant
Antibiotic ointment (for wounds)
Styptic powder (clotting blood)
Saline Solution/Rinse
Latex gloves
Tourniquet
Scissors
Tweezers
Syringe or eyedropper
Cotton swabs
Towel/washcloth

Visit www.avma.org or www.ready.gov for First Aid and Emergency Information for equine, reptiles, birds, amphibians, small animals and livestock. Thus, general first aid supplies are similar for these animals as domestic pets however they do have specific needs.

The City of Bridgeport has Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with neighboring counties and within the region to use their animal trailers and equipment in emergency situations.

Home Shelter
Create a "Home Shelter" in your home. The purpose of a "home shelter" is to provide a safe place where you and your family could survive a natural disaster with little or no injury until the disastrous event is over or until the family is reached by first responders.

Having such a place prepared in your home can reduce the amount of anxiety and stress created by threats of destructive weather or other life threatening conditions.

In addition to a basement, a closet, laundry room, bathroom or interior first floor room can be enhanced efficiently to serve as a shelter. Below ground level shelters provide the greatest protection.

Home Shelter Reminders
Should be accessible from all parts of the home free from windows and doors store one of the Family Ready Emergency Kits in this area Store one of the Pet Ready Emergency Kits in this area secure all objects tightly below ground shelters must be free from possible water accumulation. Have a workable and secured fire extinguisher. The extinguisher should be user friendly and accessible to all family members Remove all objects from the walls (if Home Shelter room normally serves as a different room) Keep the shelter clutter free at all times; unpredictable events are just that, UNPREDICATABLE

Plan to Meet
Families may not always be at home or together when a disaster happens. Designate two meeting spots where your family members should go immediately (if conditions permit) to rejoin each other.

Designate one area that is close to the home. A landmark such as a street light, a house or other permanent fixture close by could serve as a second meeting point to gather your family member.

Food Safety
At all times, have a planned emergency food supply stocked, stored securely and accessible. Design a plan on how you are going to store your food during an emergency.

Items you will need to keep your food safe during an emergency: Coolers (in situations when the power is out for more than 4 hours) Frozen gel packs Food thermometers (insure food is at safe temperature to consume) Hand-held can opener Plastic bags & ties of various sizes Plastic gloves Dry or block ice

Points to remember
Pack at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food and water.
Keep items packed and ready in case there is no time to organize items in case of an emergency.
Pack foods that do NOT require refrigeration
Canned foods that supply a source of water (fruit, juices or vegetables)
Use perishable foods from the refrigerator first
Avoid salty foods, they will make you thirsty and drinking water may be limited
Do not use cardboard or glass containers
Do not eat any food that has come in contact with flood water
Use your food items and replace them from time to time to ensure the quality of the item
Do not put food from the refrigerator or freezer in the snow. The food can thaw from the sun’s rays even when the temperature is very cold.
Food can be refrozen if the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below
If the electricity goes out remember to limit the times the doors on the refrigerator and freezer are opened.
NEVER TASTE FOOD TO DETERMINE SAFETY! WHEN IN DOUBT...THROW OUT!

Suggested food items to store in your Home Shelter & Evacu- ation Kits Peanut butter Whole grain cereals (oatmeal, granola, multi-grain) Baby Formula Instant coffee, tea bags, prepackaged beverages Water Trail mix Comfort food Energy bars Canned foods, ones that do not require preparation and have pull-off tops Dried fruits/vegetables Nonperishable pet food