FUNDAMENTALS
For any period of time without usual utilities and supply services your family will need to plan for alternative sources of:
· Food
· Water
· Electricity
· Communications
· Lighting and heat
· Transportation
Hygiene and personal care
· Clothing and shelter
· Personal essentials
This checklist for your family’s preparation
Your requirements will signifcantly increase based on the length of time of the disruption. This checklist for your family’s preparation considers planning needs for both SUSTAINING and EVACUATION.
EVACUATION:
fnd an alternative place to live away from your usual home. only have what you can take with you.
1. No Food: There may not be any food available from stores after the frst couple of days
2. No Money: Banks will probably not be working
3. No Communications: All of the usual forms of communication (internet, cell service) will be inoperative
4. No Emergency Services: There will be no emergency services
5. No Hospitals or Medicine: Hospitals will not be open nor will drug stores
6. No A/C or Heat: There will be no air conditioning or heat in your home
7. No Municipal Sewage: If you are dependent on town sewage, in time it will begin to back up into your home
8. No Water: If you are dependent upon outside sources for water it may
9. No Fuel: If there’s no electricity (or internet), there will be no fuel at gas stations
10. No Lights: If you have no electricity, you will have no lights at night
Any of these conditions could dramatically shape your ability to survive or thrive in a major emergency situation
NO
Before Disaster Strikes
Know Who to Call
Know who to call in the event of a disaster is crucial. If you have an emergency call 911. If 911 is not available, use your emergency radio to check into the hourly GMRS Net on Channel 3.
Have a plan
Create a disaster plan for you family. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. (myreadyplan.com)
Create a Disaster Supplies Kit
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three months.
Build a Go-Bag
Put together an easily portable bag/container that will sustain you for at least 3 days in case you must rapidly evacuate.
Stay Calm
Perhaps the most basic thing to remember is to keep calm This may mean the difference between life and death.
Think Before You Act
Take time to think and then take the considered action that the situation calls for.
Know Who To Call
Keep an emergency notifcation checklist near the telephone where other emergency information may be posted.
Talk About Your Plan
Read and share this information with your family before disaster strikes.
FOOD & WATER
2.5 gallons per person per day (for drinking, cooking, hygiene)
• Water purifcation system: Filters, tablets, or portable desalination device
• Collapsible water containers (for transporting and storing)
Food:
• Long-term, non-perishable food (for 90 days)
• High-calorie survival bars or meal replacement bars
• Freeze-dried or dehydrated meals (camping/hiking meals are ideal)
• Canned goods (high-protein like beans, tuna, chicken) with a portable can opener
• Rice, pasta, quinoa, oats: Lightweight, long-lasting, and calorie-dense
• Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits (good calorie-to-weight ratio)
• Multivitamins (to supplement nutrient intake over the long term)
• Portable stove (small camp stove with fuel for cooking)
• Utensils: Metal spork, knife, lightweight cookware
PERSONAL ESSENTIALS, HYGENE & PERSONAL CARE
Medications: 90-day supply of any prescription medications.
First Aid Kit:
• Bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic ointment
• Pain relievers, anti-diarrheal medication, antihistamines
• Trauma items: Tourniquet, clotting agent, splints
• Tweezers, scissors, and other basic tools
• Moleskin or blister treatment for foot care
Hygiene Supplies:
• Biodegradable soap or body wipes
• Toothbrush/toothpaste (enough for 90 days)
• Toilet paper (compressed rolls or camp toilet paper)
• Hand sanitizer
• Feminine hygiene products (if applicable)
• Extra fuel
• Notebook and pencil
• Light weight paperback book
TOOLS & SUPPLIES
Knife or multitool (for repairs, food prep, protection) rewood, shelter building)
• Fire-starting tools: Lighters, waterproof matches, and fre-starter blocks
• Headlamp with extra batteries (preferably rechargeable)
• Flashlight (with extra batteries or hand-crank)
• Compass and map (of the area where you’re located or plan to go)
• Repair kit: Duct tape, sewing kit, zip ties, and patch kits
TRANSPORTATION & COMMUNICATIONS
• Two-way emergency GMRS radio
• Multi-tool (Swiss Army knife, etc.)
• Emergency radio (preferably crank or solar-powered)
• Solar charger (for small electronics like phones, GPS devices)
• Cell phone & charger (solar or hand-crank charger recommended)
SHELTER:
• Lightweight, durable tent or tarp with appropriate stakes and ropes
• Sleeping bag (rated for the climate you're in) or emergency bivy
• Ground pad (for insulation and comfort)
• Paracord (at least 50-100 feet for shelter-building, repairs, etc.)
• Knife or multitool (for repairs, food prep, protection)
• Hatchet or folding saw (for frewood, shelter building)
• Fire-starting tools: Lighters, waterproof matches, and fre starter blocks
• Emergency radio (preferably crank or solar-powered)
• Solar charger (for small electronics like phones, GPS devices)
• Headlamp with extra batteries (preferably rechargeable)
• Flashlight (with extra batteries or hand-crank)
• Compass and map (of the area where you’re located or plan to go)
• Repair kit: Duct tape, sewing kit, zip ties, and patch kits
• Candles/lamps
CLOTHING & SHELTER
CLOTHING:
• 90-day supply of durable, lightweight clothing: Quick-dry pants, shirts, jackets
• Multiple pairs of underwear and socks (focus on quick-drying fabrics like wool or synthetic blends)
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Warm layers: Fleece or wool for cold weather
• Sturdy hiking boots or shoes suitable for long-distance walking
• Hat and gloves (season-dependent)
Personal Essentials
ID & Important Documents (copies):
- Passport, driver’s license, birth certifcate, insurance policies, etc.
- Cash (small bills) & credit/debit cards
- Contact list (family, doctors, emergency contacts)
Medications (7-day supply) & prescriptions
- First Aid Kit (bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, medical tape)
- Face masks & hand sanitizer
Cell phone & charger (solar or handcrank charger recommended)
-Two-way emergency GMRS radio
- Multi-tool (Swiss Army knife, etc.)
Food & Water
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day (for 3 days)
- Water purifcation tablets or fltration system
- Non-perishable food: Energy bars, canned food (with can opener), nuts
- Utensils: Fork, spoon, knife, and small cooking equipment (if necessary)
Clothing & Shelter
- Change of clothes (including sturdy shoes, socks, and jacket)
- Emergency blanket or sleeping bag
- Rain poncho or waterproof jacket
- Warm hat & gloves (for cold climates)
Tools & Supplies
- Flashlight (with extra batteries or hand-crank fashlight)
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Duct tape (useful for a variety of repairs)
- Tarp or tent (for shelter)
- Rope or paracord
- Plastic bags (for sanitation or storage)
Hygiene & Personal Care
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Moist towelettes or baby wipes
- Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses & solution (if applicable)
Miscellaneous
- Maps** (local area)
- Emergency radio (preferably handcrank or solar-powered)
- Notepad & pencil
- Extra keys (home, car)
For Children & Pets (if applicable)
- Baby formula, diapers, wipes(if applicable)
- Pet food, water, leash, and ID tags for pets
Optional but Recommended
- Copies of family photos (for identifcation and morale)
- Books, playing cards, or games (for stress relief)
Resources
Books:
1. Dare to Prepare! (6th Edition) by Holly Drennan Deyo https://standeyo.com/Our_Books/DTP.html
2. Civil Defense Manual by Jack Lawson
https://civildefensemanual.com/
3. LDS Preparedness Manual https://www.ldsavow.com/preparedness-manual/
4. Nuclear War Survival Skills by Cresson H. Kearny https://tacda.org/product/nuclear-survival-skills/
5. The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide by Joseph Alton, MD https://www.mypatriotsupply.com/em-cgi/btag/products/the-ultimatesurvival-medicine-guide
6. EMP Resistant USB Drive preloaded with preparedness books: https://tacda.org/product/emp-resistant-waterproof-usb-drive-preloadedwith-tacda-resources/
Websites/Organizations:
1. https://mcecn.org
2. https://americancontingency.com
3. https://myreadyplan.com
4. The American Civil Defense Association: https://tacda.org/
Medical:
1. Anti-radiation tablets: https://tacda.org/product/potassium-iodatekio3-170mg-anti-radiation-tablets/
2. Emergency prescription medications: https://www.twc.health/pages/ medical-kits
3. First Aid Kits: https://mymedic.com/collections/frst-aid-kits
Preparedness Supplies:
1. Health Ranger Store: https://www.healthrangerstore.com/collections/ preparedness-1
2. Backpacker's Pantry: https://backpackerspantry.com/collections/emergencyfood-supply (freeze dried, ready to eat meals)
3. Peak Refuel: https://peakrefuel.com/ (freeze dried, ready to eat meals)
4. 4 Patriots: https://shop.4patriots.com/
5. Lehman's: https://www.lehmans.com/
6. Ecofow Solar Generators: https://www.ecofow.com/us/collections/solargenerators
7. Mission Darkness Faraday Bags: https://mosequipment.com/
• Food: readystore.com
• Survival: GridDownConsulting.com
• Tents: ShiftPod.com
• Radios: GMRS: Amazon.com
• Preparation: AmericanContingency.com
• Book: “One Second After;” William Forstchen
• Morgan County Emergency Communications: MCECN.org
• Channel 3 – listen/talk on GMRS 3
• Channel 26 – listen/talk on GM/18R MCECN GMRS repeater
• Channel 41 – listen and talk on MURS 3
• Channel 53 – listen only on KK3L 2
• Channel 34 – NOAAWX (weather alerts)
For situational awareness – press and hold the SCAN button to initiate scanning. Hit PTT button to stop scanning.
