Take the time to prepare during National Preparedness Month

Planning in advance helps families survive and recover from disasters. However, only 35% of adults in California say that they are prepared for a disaster, according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). In honor of September as National Preparedness Month, the City is reminding you to take steps now to protect your family and home before the next earthquake, wildfire, pandemic or other disaster.

To help prepare you for the next disaster, check out this fact sheet and list of website and app resources. If you haven't already, sign up for AlertOC, a mass notification system designed to keep Mission Viejo residents and businesses and those throughout Orange County informed of emergencies that may require immediate lifesaving actions.
Remember these three steps to Disaster Preparedness:

• Make a family disaster plan including emergency contact information, escape routes from the home, identifying meeting places within and outside your neighborhood, and identifying household member responsibilities.
• Create emergency supply kits that include the 6 P's of Disaster Preparedness:
  • People and pets (personal items)
  • Papers (important documents)
  • Prescriptions
  • Pictures (and irreplaceable memorabilia)
  • Personal Computer (hard drive and disk)
  • Plastic (debit/credit card and cash)
• Prepare your home by bracing major appliances, heavy furniture, electronics, and any overhead fixtures. Identify and have the proper tools available to shut off gas, water, and electricity if necessary.

For more information on these topics or to find this information in additional languages, visit ocfa.org. Helpful information is also available on the City's website at this link.