Disasters can happen anywhere, any time. That’s why it’s important you’re prepared. Do you have a plan for yourself, your pets, and your family?
Consider the specific needs you might have in an emergency by visiting Ready.gov.
You may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to know how you’ll reconnect if separated. Use this Ready.gov form to create a Family Emergency Communication Plan, which you can email as a PDF file once complete.
Useful Documents (Ready.gov):
An emergency kit should have everything you need to survive for several days. Keeping your kit stocked with necessities like food, water, and medical care can make the difference in the face of a disaster.
Visit Ready.gov to learn more.
Disaster Kit Checklist:
- First aid kit
- Local maps
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Cell phone with charger and backup battery
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
- Battery operated radio
- Essential medications
- Extra blankets, sleeping bag
- Personal sanitation equipment (Feminine supplies, garbage bags, hand sanitizer, etc.)
- Can opener
- Pet food, water, and supplies (*If applicable)
- Infant formula and diapers (*If applicable)
If you or a family member has a chronic health condition or disability, there are steps you can take now to stay safe during emergencies.
Project SAFE
Project SAFE (Special Alert For Emergencies) is designed to improve emergency response for individuals with Autism, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive or developmental conditions, as well as blindness and deafness/hearing loss.
Learn more and enroll
Life Supporting Equipment
If a member of your household needs electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment, your household may be eligible for certain special protections and notifications through your utility company.
The Citizen Preparedness Corps gives residents the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster or emergency, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions.
For general resources related to weather emergencies, visit the NYS Department of Health's webpage.
For additional information on trainings such as the Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training, FEMA Professional Development Series (PDS), and the NYS OEM Training, visit the Ulster County Department of Emergency Services webpage.
The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet or livestock owner, that plan must include your pets and livestock.
Proper planning and preparedness measures, such as creating emergency kits, securing shelter, and identifying evacuation routes, can help safeguard our pets and livestock.
Pet Owners:
Your pets are important members of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan.
Livestock Owners:
Livestock play critical roles in agriculture and food production. Safeguarding them during emergencies helps sustain our communities and the broader economy. Consider the following tips when learning how to protect your livestock during an emergency:
Electric Car Charging Stations
In the event of an emergency, visit NYSERDA’s Electric Vehicle Station Locator to find nearby electric charging station locations. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides up-to-date information on alternative fueling station locations.
Download the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s mobile application available for Android and Apple devices.