The Planning Guide explains how to use the Disaster Readiness Planner to help
others get ready for a disaster. This Guide refers to the people you are planning
with as “your partner(s)”, they could be a family member, friend, or someone
who needs help in planning.
Almost everyone makes better plans when they work with someone else. The
Planner helps people plan together. By following the steps in the Planner and
taking action, you will do more than share information: you will help your planning
partners become better prepared.
This Guide takes you through each step of the
Planner, giving suggestions on how to use each step.
You don’t have to be an expert or cover everything at once. Start with the first
segments of the Planner and then do a few more steps each time you meet.
Help the people you are working with get engaged in the planning process; don’t
just give them information and hope they will somehow get ready later. Do things
together, like going to the store for supplies, or set up a schedule you can check
later. Make phone calls to coordinate activities with others, and so on.
Be patient, planning works best if you don’t hurry. Don’t tell your planning
partners what they should prepare for or how to do it. Ask them what they think
at each step, and then figure out together what is important to do next.
When large disasters occur, it is easy to panic and forget what to do, help your
partner develop a habit of being ready. By keeping the Planner visible in the
house people will be reminded to practice and make disaster planning part of their regular routine.
Disaster Readiness Planner and Planning Guide ordering information.
