Have you ever been evacuated from your home or workplace? Were you prepared? What did you take with you? What did you forget?  If you’ve never experienced an evacuation, now is the time to prepare.

People are creatures of habit, and a sudden evacuation notice disrupts routines, forcing quick decisions. Without a plan, the stress of the moment can lead to critical mistakes. Here’s what you need to know to enhance your disaster preparedness and ensure your safety:

• Why am I evacuating? What’s the hazard?
• How much time do I have? Is it an immediate threat, or do I have time to plan?
• Which way is safe? What is the best evacuation route?
• What do I take with me? What can I leave behind?
• Where do I get information after I evacuate?
• How do I know when it’s safe to return home?

Test Your Evacuation Readiness

Please take a little time to play an evacuation game.  Set a timer and grab everything you think you’ll need before heading outside. When the timer rings, make a list of what you took. Then, go back inside and identify the essential items you missed. Your list should include practical necessities, required documents, and personal valuables you can’t afford to lose. 

This exercise highlights the importance of disaster preparedness, ensuring that in a real emergency, you don’t leave behind something crucial. Several practical lists of things you might take with you if you have an hour or more to gather them. Unfortunately, discretionary time is not always possible, as noted in the recent Los Angeles fires. 

Every household member should contribute to the evacuation list. At a minimum, it should include:

✅ Identification (IDs, passports, and essential documents)
✅ Cash, credit cards, and emergency contact information
✅ Medications, first aid supplies, and hygiene essentials
✅ Electronic backups of insurance papers, tax returns, and important records stored securely in the cloud or an offsite drive
✅ Food, water, and a change of clothes—store these in your vehicle for a quick exit

Reducing Panic with a Go Bag

To minimize last-minute scrambling, have a bag packed and ready to load during high-risk seasons like wildfire or flood warnings. This allows you to evacuate quickly without wasting valuable time gathering supplies.

Be ready to take pets with what you need to support them.  There is nothing worse than knowing your pet is at home with no one to feed or care for them.

Essential Questions for Evacuation Preparedness

Beyond packing supplies, consider these critical factors that can impact your safety:

🔹 What if you’re not home when your neighborhood is evacuated?
🔹 What if you’re traveling or on vacation and receive an evacuation order?
🔹 Are you signed up for emergency alerts?
🔹 Do you know where to find official evacuation updates and safety instructions?
🔹 Do you know your designated Evacuation Zone?
🔹 Do you keep enough fuel or charge in your vehicle for a quick departure?

Disaster preparedness isn’t just about having supplies—it’s about having a plan. Make evacuation readiness a priority today.

Sources: RedCross.org   Ready.gov   USFA.FEMA.gov

Written by R. Ranger Dorn, Exercise Program Director, EIS Council.