Local officials and relief workers will respond after a disaster, but they may not be able to reach everyone right away. That's why it's critical to be prepared to survive on your own for a minimum of three days in the event of an emergency. This may mean providing your own shelter, food, water, first-aid, sanitation and other basic needs.
Why Prepare?

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning, anytime or anywhere. Would you know what to do if it happened today?

Even though you may not be able to control a disaster or stop it from happening, you do have control over how you will respond to one.

Protecting yourself and your family in an emergency requires planning. Being prepared will not only help you respond effectively in a dangerous situation, but it can also help you to lessen the impact of a disaster, and sometimes even avoid the danger completely.

Remember, local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere. Your ability to be self-sufficient may be a matter of survival for you and your family. Don’t wait for help that may not be available or may come too late. Take control of your own safety — it can save your life!

What You Can Do to Start

Ready to begin your emergency planning? The following are important preparations you should start making immediately:

Be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur and specific actions to take. In this site you can find detailed information on 10 potential emergencies in Pennsylvania.

Make an emergency plan for you and your family in case disaster strikes.

Get an emergency kit. Your emergency kit should be individually tailored to meet ...