The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are encouraging residents to get prepared for emergencies by compiling a disaster plan and kit.


Here is what you can do to be ready:

• Have an evacuation and communication plan for your family. Know where you will go and how you will contact each other.

• Keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle in case you need to evacuate.

• Have a disaster kit with necessary supplies on hand. See our checklist (PDF) for a complete list of recommended items.

• Make arrangements for pets, because pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons.

Getting Ready Booklet

The West Virginia Getting Ready booklet is the perfect size to put in your disaster kit — half-letter size. The booklet gives instructions for writing a family emergency plan, compiling a disaster kit and coping with emergencies most common in West Virginia. The booklet can be downloaded in full-color, black and white or copier format.

Contact the public information officer for information about ordering hardcopies or reprinting large quantities for you or your organization.

•full-color Getting Ready booklet

•black and white Getting Ready booklet

•black and white Getting Ready booklet for copier

*The copier version has two copies of each page placed on a letter-size page, so that you could more easily make small quantities of booklets on a copier for your office or organization.



Readiness Quotient Test

The Council for Excellence in Government has developed ways to help individuals and communities measure their readiness and preparedness quotient. ww.whatsyourrq.org/

Celeste Hinzman
Public Information Officer