Your personal preparedness is an essential part of the University’s overall readiness. Ensuring that you, your peers, and all members of our campus community are prepared for emergencies is critical to the quick and efficient recovery of the university from whatever challenge we may face.
Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, having a plan can make all the difference. Here is how you can ensure you are ready:
Get a kit
When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it’s best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Have a kit with the following items, and remember to store three day’s worth of food and water for every individual in your home:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Cell phone with chargers and fully charged power bank
- Extra batteries
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers
Make a plan
- Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
- Teach family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
Stay informed
- Monitor local media during a disaster for the latest information
- Follow UW–Madison Police Department on Facebook and Twitter
- Sign-up for emergency notifications to receive emergency information from UW–Madison
- Sign-up for Dane County Emergency Alerts to receive emergency information from Dane County
Want to learn more?
If you are interested in learning more about creating plans and building emergency kits, including creating plans and kits for family members and pets, click below!