Improving our local and national preparedness is not just a job for the professionals - law enforcement, firefighters, EMT's and others. All Americans should begin a process of learning about potential threats, whether natural or man-made, so we are better prepared to react during severe weather, emergency situations or attack.

Guides

• Citizen's Emergency Personal Protection Guide
  This Guide will help you be better prepared for an emergency affecting the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. You will learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency, create a family emergency plan and prepare an Emergency Go Kit.

• Disaster Preparedness Planning Guide for Facilities
  This preparedness planning guide is directed to facility managers and administrators and is intended to provide assistance in meeting the planning requirements necessary to protect employees and clients who may be conducting business within the facility. It is intentionally generic in nature, so that it may apply to a variety of public buildings and large facilities where resident or worker populations may be at risk as a result of natural or human-caused disasters. Effective planning and response is achieved by coordination, cooperation and the participation of many groups, individuals and the community. A highly effective planning and response team can be formed between the facility staff and community groups.

• Family Disaster Supplies Kit Guide
  Disasters happen anytime and anywhere. When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. A highway spill or hazardous material could mean evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at home. An earthquake, flood, tornado, or any other disaster could cut water, electricity, and telephones for days.

  After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. Would your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives?

  Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.

• House and Building Fires
  A fire can engulf a structure in a matter of minutes. Understanding the basic characteristics of fire and learning the proper safety practices can be the key to surviving a house or building fire.

• Pets and Disasters
  Make arrangements for your pets as part of your household disaster planning. If you must evacuate your home, it's always best to take your pets with you. For health and space reasons, pets will not be allowed in public emergency shelters. If, as a last resort, you have to leave your pets behind, make sure you have a plan to ensure their care.

• Safe Computing Tips
  Most viruses and worms use e-mail to propagate. In general, keep your operating system and anti-virus software applications up-to-date and apply the latest patches or program bug fixes.