This information was initially compiled in December 2013 in response to widespread flooding. Although we are 10 years past this event, these are still great resources.
Emergency preparedness takes place on several levels. First, you should be prepared to protect yourself and your family in emergency situations, such tornadoes, fire, floods or terrorist attack. The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services recommends you have at least 3 days of supplies on hand as part of your emergency "kit." In addition, you should have safety plans in place for a variety of emergency situations.
Once you know your personal/family plan, consider how you would respond to an emergency situation at your workplace, place of worship, school or other public meeting place. Know evacuation routes, areas for shelter and other important information should an emergency occur. If an emergency plan has not been determined, encourage leaders to begin developing a plan.
Finally, become a part of your community's emergency preparedness activities. The local COAD chapter is a great way to become involved and share your resources and talents should a disaster occur.
Following are organizations and websites with information to help you develop your emergency plans. If you would like to submit an emergency preparedness resource or event, please send an email with the resource/event information, including date, location, hosting agency and contact email and/or website.
Emergency Preparedness/Creating Your Plan
American Red Cross - Ready Rating
Prepare yor workplace for disaster with this free self assessment tool.
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/workplace
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services - Ready In 3
Information on the 3 Steps to Prepare for an Emergency
http://www.dhss.mo.gov
EMA/DHSS Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning Template and Worksheets
A roadmap for building your agency’s plan to prepare for and respond to any event that disrupts your business or organization's operations.
Click here for the template
Creating a Family Communications Plan
Have you ever wondered how you will communicate with and locate your loved ones after a disaster. This information from Ready.gov will help your family create an emergency communications plan.
http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan
Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities
This booklet will help you get your emergency plan started with ideas to discuss with your family, friends and/or your personal care attendant, or anyone else in your support network.
http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240199_A4497.pdf
Disaster Preparedness for Nursing Homes Residents
Questions to ask when preparing an emergency plan for a nursing home, assisted living, or other long-term care facility.
http://theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/long-term-care-recipient/Emergency-Preparedness.pdf
School Emergency Plans
The following sites provide information specific to schools and daycares as they develop emergency plans to keep their students safe.
http://rems.ed.gov/
Angie's List Home Preparation Tips for Weather Emergencies
Simple, easy-to-follow tips to prepare for weather emergencies with links to weather information and statistics.
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/home-preparation-tips-weather-emergencies.htm
Emergency Management Information
St. Charles County Division of Emergency Management
Local hazard information, safety and planning tips.
http://www.sccmo.org/680/Emergency-Management
United Way 2-1-1
A 24-hour comprehensive information and referral service connecting to mor than 30,000 services across Missouri and Southwest Illinois.
http://www.211Helps.org
SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency)
SEMA's mission is to protect the lives and property of all Missourians when major disasters threaten public safety in any city, county or region of Missouri. The SEMA website provides information and training resources to help people and organizations plan, prepare, recover and rebuild. Click here to view copies of the SEMA newsletter.
http://sema.dps.mo.gov/
Missouri Storm Aware
This website by the State of Missouri provides informational videos about storm safety in a variety of location types, weather alert sign-up and storm facts and myths.
http://stormaware.mo.gov/
Missouri VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters)
The purpose and objective of Missouri VOAD is to coordinate planning efforts of the many voluntary organizations responding to, preparing for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters.
http://movoad.org/
Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS)
Watch the FEMA video about IPAWS and determine if IPAWS is available in your community.
http://www.fema.gov/integrated-public-alert-warning-system
Rand Corporation's Engaged Toolkit: Improving the Role of Nongovernmental Organizations in Disaster Response and Recovery
Download a free e-book, self-assessment and partnership assessment to learn how non-governmental partners can assist in disaster recovery efforts.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/tools/TL202.html
Facebook Safety Check
Learn about a new feature on Facebook that helps you let friends know you're safe during a disaster or helps you find out if friends are safe when a disaster hits their area.
https://www.facebook.com/about/safetycheck/
HHS emPOWER Map: a GIS-based Tool for Health Disaster Readiness
HHS emPOWER Map is an interactive online tool to aid community health agencies and emergency management officials in disaster preparedness as they plan ahead to meet the emergency needs of community residents who rely on electrically powered medical and assistive equipment to live independently at home.
http://www.phe.gov/empowermap/Pages/default.aspx
Information About Specific Types of Emergency Situations
Flash Flooding Information
A video from St.Charles County Government about the dangers of flash flooding and precautions to take.
American Red Cross
Red Cross has resources to help your family, school and workplace plan for a variety of emergency situations.
http://www.redcross.org/prepare
Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) is an evidence-informed modular intervention that aims to help survivors gain skills to manage distress and cope with post-disaster stress and adversity.
http://www.nctsn.org/content/skills-psychological-recovery-spr
Run, Hide, Fight - Surviving An Active Shooter Event
A project of the Department of Homeland Security Regional Catastrophic Planning Initiative, this video produced by Ready Houston shows safety steps to take during an active shooter event.
http://youtu.be/5VcSwejU2D0
Disaster Planning for People with Disabilities
Video from Ready.gov with disaster planning tips for people with disabilities.
https://youtu.be/dcnCQ_pdVCY
The Great Central US Shakeout
Earthquake scenarios for self-led drills and other resources to plan for responses to earthquakes.
http://shakeout.org/centralus/resources/