Emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time, but a little preparation now can make a big difference when one does.
Richardson’s Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to take a few simple steps to prepare their families, homes and neighborhoods for the unexpected.
Start with Three Basics
Get informed, make a plan, and build a kit.
One of the easiest things Richardson residents can do is sign up for the City’s Emergency Notification System, which can send important alerts by phone call, text, and email.
Notifications may include:
- Tornado warnings
- Severe weather
- Missing persons
- Evacuations
- Water or utility emergencies
- Other threats affecting your area
Residents can also opt in to additional weather alerts.
It’s also important to have more than one way to receive emergency information.
Richardson’s warning system includes 22 outdoor warning sirens, but sirens are designed primarily to alert people outdoors and may not be heard inside a home.
The City recommends using multiple sources, including:
- Emergency notifications
- Local media
- Weather apps
- A NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio
Build a Family Plan
Talk with your family about where you will go and how you will communicate during an emergency.
Identify a meeting place, keep important contact information accessible, and make sure children know their full name, address, and phone number.
Richardson also recommends creating a support network of at least two people who can check in with one another during an emergency.
If someone in your household has medical, mobility or other access needs, incorporate those needs into your plan, including:
- Medications
- Medical equipment
- Dietary requirements
- Backup power for essential equipment
Build an Emergency Kit
Richardson recommends keeping at least 72 hours of supplies on hand, including one gallon of water per person per day.
For a family of four, that means at least 12 gallons of water.
Your kit should also include:
- Nonperishable food
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Important documents
- Medications
- Other necessities your family may need
It’s a good idea to check your supplies periodically and replace expired items.
Prepare for More Than Severe Weather
And remember: preparedness isn’t just about tornadoes.
Richardson takes an all-hazards approach, preparing residents for severe weather as well as:
- Power outages
- Hazardous-material incidents
- Health emergencies
- Other situations that could affect the community
The best time to prepare is before you need to.
Take a few minutes this week to sign up for Richardson emergency notifications, talk through your family’s plan and check your emergency kit.
A little preparation today can provide a lot of peace of mind tomorrow.
Ready to Get Started?
Visit the City of Richardson’s “Get Ready Richardson” resources for emergency planning information, notification registration, and preparedness tips.
QR Code
Create QR code (and place here) to City of Richardson Emergency preparedness web page:
https://www.cor.net/departments/emergency-management/ready-richardson
Additional Information
Information in this article was sourced from the City of Richardson.
Scan the QR code for more in-depth information on emergency preparedness here in Richardson.
Office of Emergency Management
Call 911 for Emergencies
Office hours: 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Phone: 972-744-0900
Fax: 972-907-1603
Email: AskRichardsonEmergencyManagement@cor.gov
