Family Emergency Planning

Special Needs Registry-- Do you know someone who has a physical, mental and/or medical care need that may need special assistance during an emergency? If so, we need your help. The Brazos Valley Emergency Management Association (BVEMA), Brazos Valley Council of Governments (BVCOG) and several of the local social service organizations developed a survey that collects critical information including medical condition and living status of citizens with special needs. The survey is a part of an information packet that contains brochures and other helpful information on emergency planning at home and what different social service organizations do in the community.

If you or someone you love has a special need that may necessitate special assistance during an emergency, please call 2-1-1 to receive an information packet or print out and return the attached documents including the survey form, drug card and demographics page. Encourage and assist your loved ones with filling out the survey and getting it back to their county EMC so we will know the type of assistance they may need in an emergency. Emergency management coordinators will use this information to create phone banks and maps that will give emergency responders a vital tool in assisting our family, neighbors and friends in an emergency. Thank you for your help in this very important effort. If you have any questions please call 2-1-1 or (979) 595-2800 and ask for Rebecca Hill.

Emergency Preparedness Brochures—The Emergency Preparedness brochure provides information on what our local officials, emergency management coordinators and emergency responders are doing to keep our community safe and what we can do as individuals to make sure we are prepared for an emergency. To request a brochure, please call (979) 595-2800 and ask for the Homeland Security Department or email rhill@bvcog.org

Standing Ready/Protect Texas Volunteers— In the event of a public health emergency, a large number of volunteers will be needed to get medicine to people in all affected areas: to help save lives, to reduce suffering, to “Protect Texas”. DSHS needs volunteers with a variety of expertise -- health and medical professionals, people with special skills and abilities, and all interested, concerned citizens -- to make sure we can quickly reach people in every Texas community that may need this help. We will provide orientation and training to prepare you for this vital service, requiring minimal time commitment unless needed for public health emergency response. CAN YOU HELP? Visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/comprep/protect/default.shtm for more information about Protect Texas or http://www.disasterhelp.net/standingready/ for more information about volunteer opportunities here in the Brazos Valley region with Protect Texas and other programs. Or simply fill out the attached volunteer application and return it to:

Bioterrorism Preparedness Program
Brazos Valley Council of Governments
P.O. Drawer 4128
Bryan , TX 77805

Family Preparedness Websites—Here are some websites that may be helpful as you get your family and friends prepared for an emergency.

American Red Cross Family Disaster Planning - http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/familyplan.html

Creating a Family Emergency Communications Plan - http://www.sbc.com/press_room/press_kit/consumer_tipsheet.pdf

Be Ready—From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - http://www.ready.gov/

FEMA: Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness - http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

Utility Safety—How to Turn off Utilities - http://www.pep-c.org/utilitysafety/

Pet Safety During Emergencies - http://www.allstate.com/catastrophe/pagerender.asp?page=pets.htm