September is National Preparedness Month, and across the Nation, Emergencies highlight the importance of personal, hazard-specific, and family preparedness. In addition to updating your basic emergency plan using the attached emergency-plan-template.pdf, Ready Army encourages you to consider some often overlooked, yet critical, components of emergency planning. During this National Preparedness Month update your emergency management plan to include financial readiness and preparedness measures for people with access and functional needs.

Financial Readiness: Financial preparedness is a critical part of emergency preparedness. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, access to cash and financial services may be limited. Proactive steps include:

  • Reviewing and updating your homeowner's or renter’s insurance coverage.
  • Creating and regularly contributing to an emergency savings account to mitigate the impact of unexpected costs.
  • Safeguarding your financial future by collecting and securely storing original copies of essential documents like employment contracts, insurance policies, loan agreements, wills, and trust documents.
  • Preparing for potential disruptions to banking and financial services by maintaining a readily accessible cash reserve – ideally between $500 and $5,000 depending on family size and need.
  • Remaining vigilant against financial scams that frequently exploit disaster situations. Avoid unsolicited offers for home repair services or charitable donations, and verify the legitimacy of any requests for financial assistance before providing information or funds.
  • Further information: FDIC: Preparing your finances for an unanticipated disaster & Financial Preparedness Tips

Preparedness for Individuals with Access and Functional Needs: Emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs requires a tailored, comprehensive approach. This includes:

  • Developing a Family Emergency Plan and Kit that addresses specific medical, health, and safety requirements.
  • Establishing a support network and maintaining a physical contact list in your emergency preparedness kit and in your cell phone.
  • Planning for accessible transportation options, recognizing that disasters can disrupt normal modes of transportation. Consider pre-arranged assistance from family, friends, or local disability services, and identify accessible evacuation routes.
  • Securing adequate amount of needed medical supplies.
  • Ensuring access to a generator to power any necessary medical equipment in the event of a power outage.
  • Identifying the location of medical facilities, especially when traveling or evacuating.
  • Further information: Access and Functional Needs & Access and Functional Needs toolkit

As National Preparedness Month draws to a close, remember that readiness is a continuous process, not just an annual event. Ready Army encourages all personnel and their families to integrate these often – overlooked areas of financial security and preparedness measures for those with access and functional needs into existing emergency plans. By proactively addressing these critical components, you strengthen not only your own resilience, but also contribute to the overall readiness of our communities and the Army as a whole. Be informed, make a plan, get involved, and build a kit.

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance. Consult local command and installation emergency management for specific recommendations tailored to your region and potential threats.