Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI)

The Center for Disease Control's (CDC’s) Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) is a federally-funded program designed to enhance preparedness in the nation’s largest cities and metropolitan statistical areas where more than 50% of the U.S. population resides. Through CRI, state and large metropolitan public health departments have developed plans to respond to a large-scale bioterrorist event or other type of disaster, by dispensing antibiotics or whatever is needed specific to the disaster, to the entire population of an identified Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) within 48 hours.

Family Disaster Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance how you will contact one another, how you will get back together, and what you will do in different situations.

Look through the FEMA family emergency planning tools for more information.

Family Emergency Supply Kit

FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend families stock their homes with six basics: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container, such as a covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water

• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking and two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation / sanitation).
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Your selections should include ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; canned juices; staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.); high energy foods; and vitamins. Remember food for family members with special needs, such as infants or people with dietary restrictions.

First Aid Supplies

Assemble a first aid kit for your home, and one for each car, that includes the following:

• Adhesive bandages in various sizes, 20
• Adhesive tape, 2 inches in width
• Anti-bacterial ointment
• Antiseptic wipes
• Cold pack
• Conforming roller gauze bandage
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
• Germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Large medical grade non-latex gloves
• Non-prescription drugs, such as aspirin or non aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid (for stomach upset), syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Roll of inch cohesive bandage
• Scissors (small, personal)
• Sterile dressing, 5 inch by 9 inch
• Sterile gauze pads
• Triangular bandages, two
• Tweezers

Clothing & Bedding

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Consider including sturdy shoes or work boots, rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, hat and gloves, thermal underwear, and sunglasses.

Tools & Supplies

Your emergency supplies should include a battery-operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries, matches in a waterproof container, a non-electric can opener, eating utensils, a fire extinguisher, plastic sheeting, and tape. Also remember to have cash on hand because banks may not be open and ATMs may not be operating. Other items to consider include signal flares, sewing supplies, basic tools, maps, a whistle, and sanitation supplies (such as toilet paper, a plastic bucket, disinfectant, and soap).

Special Items

Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Make sure your supply kit includes diapers, formula, prescription medications, contact lens supplies, extra eyeglasses, or other special items your family may need. Also include games and books for children.

For more ideas, check out FEMA's tips on building an emergency kit.