This September, please plan and prepare in the event you must go for five days or more without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or other local services. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on and document an emergency plan for those in your care. Click here for planning resources to help you get started.
2. Assemble a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and those in your care – water, non-perishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, battery-powered radio, etc. Click here for what to include in your kit.
3. Stay Informed: There are many resources available to help you and your family stay informed about hazardous conditions. Click here to learn more.
4. Get Trained: After you’ve made a plan and assembled a kit, take your preparedness a step further by getting trained in first aid, CPR/AED or in other safety areas. Or take it a step further and become a member of a Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET). Click here for training resources.

Also consider participating in the "30 Days, 30 Ways" campaign run by Portland partner CRESA and challenge yourself to one simple task each day this month. Details can be found at http://www.30days30ways.com/.

Remember that emergency responders may not always be able to reach you quickly, such as if trees and power lines are down or if they’re overwhelmed by demand from an emergency. The most important step you can take in helping your local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care; the more people who are prepared, the quicker the community will recover.