Emergency Preparedness for Families: What to Do Before Disaster Strikes

Send us Fan MailEmergency Preparedness for Families: What to Do Before Disaster StrikesWhat would you do if an emergency happened today—while your child was at school, you were at work, your teenager was driving, or your family was separated?Most of us hope we'll never have to answer that question. But being prepared isn't about expecting the worst. It's about giving yourself and the people you love a better chance when the unexpected happens.As we head into a new school year filled with new schedules, teachers, sports, activities, work, and busy family routines, it's the perfect time to take a few simple steps toward being ready.On this episode of Holly's Highlights, I'm joined by Bryan Stinson, Emergency Preparedness and Community Outreach Specialist with the Utah Division of Emergency Management and lead for the Be Ready Utah preparedness outreach program.Together, we're talking about practical emergency preparedness for families, parents, students, teenagers, young adults, people living alone, and anyone who wants to be better prepared.You'll learn:What every family should have in an emergency planWhat parents should ask their child's school about emergency proceduresHow to create a family communication and reunification planWhat emergency supplies you may be forgettingWhat to keep in your car—especially for teen driversWhat to know about workplace emergency plansWhat to do during the first few minutes of an emergencyWhere to get reliable information when an emergency happensAnd five simple preparedness steps you can take this weekendPlus, Bryan answers rapid-fire emergency scenarios—from a child being at school during an emergency to getting stranded on the road or losing power at home.You don't have to prepare for every possible disaster. You just have to start.Because we can't always know what's coming—but we can choose to be ready when it matters.🎧 Listen now, then choose ONE thing from this episode and do it this week.And if this conversation makes you think of someone who should be better prepared, share this episode with them.Additional interviews for emergency preparedness:- S7 E11: “Before the Sirens: Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie on EMS, Leadership, and Emergency Preparedness”- S2 E11: “Preparing for the Unexpected” - S7 E10: “Building Trust: A Conversation with Sandy Police Leadership”- S3 E21: “How to Be Safe This Holiday Season”- S6 E11: “Nurses: The Heartbeat of Healthcare”Additional resources from today's episode:- Be Ready Utah: https://beready.utah.gov/- National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/ffc/prepSupport the showVisit www.hollycurby.com for more information and to sign up for the monthly Holly's Happenings e-newsletter. Holly's Highlights podcast and the opinions and ideas shared within it are for entertainment purposes only. The advice should be confirmed with a qualified professional.