Plan
The key to surviving any emergency or disaster situation is planning. Discuss emergency plans with each household member. All members of the household should share in the preparation decisions. Be sure to consider anyone with access and functional needs or disabilities. Make sure everyone knows where the closest fire station, medical facility, and police station are located.
Consider what you would do if basic services - water, gas, electricity, or telephones - were cut off? Most disasters will keep local officials busy for at least 72 hours (3-days). Officials and first responders will be on the scene during and after the emergency, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. Families and communities can and do cope with emergencies by preparing in advance and working together as a team.
Have escape routes planned for each part of your home or workplace. Every member should know the quickest and safest escape routes and all possible hazards that could be in their path. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.
The San Ramon Valley Fire Department website has resources for creating emergency plans: https://www.firedepartment.org/community/be-ready-srv/be-prepared
Make a Kit
Each household should commit time to developing a plan. Putting together a 72-hour emergency kit is a good start. The home kit should provide basic equipment and provisions needed by the family for at least a 72-hour period after the emergency. Additional kits in your car and at work should have enough supplies to last until you can reunite with your family.
The San Ramon Valley Fire Department website has resources for creating emergency kits for your home, car, work, and pets. They also have a calendar to help you assemble a kit in small steps over a six-month period. https://www.firedepartment.org/community/be-ready-srv/be-supplied