Emergency Preparedness: Protecting Vital Documents in Times of Crisis

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In an unpredictable world, the importance of being prepared cannot be overstated—especially when it comes to safeguarding our most important documents against natural and human-made disasters. Whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, or an unforeseen terrorist attack, having a strategy to protect and access your critical documents can drastically reduce stress and aid in a quicker recovery. 

Here’s what you need to know about emergency preparedness and essential items to pack.

The Essential “Go Bag”

An emergency evacuation can be a scary and frantic experience. Before you grab any documents or physical possessions, your first priority should be the health and safety of you and your family members, and pets. Everything else can be replaced.

But before an emergency happens, there’s a lot you can do to prepare for it, including gathering, essential items. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection recommends having a pre-packed “go bag” ready for immediate evacuation, which should include:

• Non-perishable food and water
• Essential medications
• First aid supplies
• Battery-powered radio
• Maps with evacuation routes
• Basic hygiene items (toothbrush, soap, towel)
• Clothing for multiple days
• Important documents (i.e. identification, insurance papers, birth certificates, etc. See the list below.)

Important Documents List

Here’s a list of important documents. You can download this and print this out for your own personal use. We recommended that you store as many documents as possible in a secure cloud environment like Dropbox.

Special Items

FEMA advises including additional emergency supplies in a “go bag” such as:

• Cloth face coverings
• Important family documents
• Communication devices

Where To Find Support

The American Red Cross emphasize that emergency assistance is available to all, stating, “We don’t ask for identification, and you don’t have to stay overnight to get help”.

Vulnerable Populations

Special attention should be given to preparing evacuation supplies for:

• Children
• Elderly family members
• Pets
• Those with medical conditions

Vehicle Preparation

In addition to helping you flee a dangerous area; your car radio can be a vital communications resource. AM and FM radio have wide ranges and still operate even when cell phone towers go down.

Experts recommend keeping vehicles prepared with:

• Sufficient gasoline
• Printed copies of escape routes (in case of loss of internet)
• Emergency supplies
• Basic vehicle maintenance items

Emergency Evacuation Essentials: A Guide to Critical Preparedness

Proper evacuation preparedness can significantly improve safety and reduce stress during emergency situations, like natural disasters. As demonstrated by the current California wildfires, having these items ready can make the difference between a controlled evacuation and a chaotic departure.

Remember: The key to successful evacuation is not just having the right supplies, but being prepared to leave before official evacuation orders arrive. Early preparation and departure can help avoid dangerous situations and ensure a safer evacuation process.

Jesse Torres, chief battalion for Cal Fire, emphasizes the importance of early evacuation before emergency crews arrive: “It’s so important to avoid congestion. Go early, before they arrive.” He recommends preparing as if planning for a seven-day trip, including:

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