The Kingsville Fire Department would like to remind residents that the best time to prepare for a possible emergency is before it happens.

To make sure you and your family are prepared ahead of time, follow this three-step process.

Step One: Make a Plan

An emergency plan can help you and your household know what actions to take in critical situations. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Have a backup method to communicate with your family in case usual methods are affected and make sure you have backups to keep your smart devices charged such as power banks.
• Designate at least two safe locations you can go to in case of evacuation and know how to get there. If you must leave your home and have pets that cannot go with you, think of someone who can look after them for you.
• Keep a list of important numbers readily available so you don’t have to search for them including family doctor, telehealth, insurance contacts, utility company, etc.
• Make sure every responsible adult in your household knows how to turn off main utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) in the event of an emergency.
• Make copies of important documents such as insurance documents, wills, birth certificates and keep them with your plan in a safe place so that you don’t have to go looking for them when time is of the essence.
• If you or anyone in your household has medical conditions or disabilities, be sure your plan reflects this information, and make sure your kit contains extra medication and supplies as needed. Learn more about emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.

Step Two: Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit

Your emergency kit should have everything you and your household needs to stay safe and self-sufficient for at least three days immediately following an emergency. Make sure everything is well organized, simple to find and that your kit is portable and easy to carry.

Step Three: Stay Informed

Have a portable, battery-operated or crank radio in your emergency kit in case of power outages. It’s important to listen to local news and radio as well as keeping up to date with the Town of Kingsville News webpage and Facebook page. Make sure to subscribe to the town of Kingsville news portal to get emails straight to your inbox.   

Be prepared for an emergency and understand other hazards and emergencies and make sure to visit Kingsville’s Emergency Planning page for more helpful information about other ways you can protect yourself and your family.