As the Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Kennedale, the Fire Chief develops and categorizes emergency plans that mirror others within the region and will integrate with county, state, and federal emergency plans. City employees receive specialized training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS), where they learn to function effectively in emergencies.
Residents are urged to subscribe to the reverse 9-1-1 system, which allows officials to disseminate instructions and alerts to residents efficiently.
Regardless of the type of disaster, preparation is key. Contact your Local Red Cross Chapter, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website or Ready.gov to make sure you are aware of the potential for natural disasters in your community. After you have identified the types of disasters that could strike where you live, create a family disaster plan that can apply to any type of disaster - natural, unintentional, or intentional.
Practice your plan so that everyone will remember what to do in an emergency. Everyone in the home, including children, should play a part in the family's response and recovery efforts. Remember: make the plan simple so everyone can remember the details. Families should prepare an Emergency Supplies Kit (PDF) also. This kit should have enough supplies to maintain your entire family for at least 72 hours.