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For

Individuals and Families

Preparing myself and my family for crisis and emergency situations

Emergency Preparedness

None of us know when (or if) a crisis will strike. A crisis can be any event or series of events that disrupt our usual way of living and working. Preparing and making plans as though a crisis will strike can be one of the most loving and caring things you do for your family. Examples of possible areas of individual or family crisis include: emotional, physical, spiritual, cultural, financial, environmental, or political. They may result from natural disasters (such as fire, earthquake, tsunami), human-induced acts of violence, outbreak of disease, tragedy, security compromise, or war. In a crisis and under stressful circumstances, your IQ literally drops a few points. You will likely find yourself unable to think clearly or to know how to make necessary decisions. If you “think in advance”, all you need to do is consult your lists at the time of crisis, and you will have your work mostly done for you. These planning worksheets are intended to help you prepare in advance for possible events which could affect you or your family. There are lots of other great resources available, and some are listed in the “resource” section at the end. Not every item may apply to you; these lists are intended to help you think through your situation.

Personal Crisis Planning Checklist

GENERAL LISTS

Mark "Status" column G,Y, or R for green, yellow or red

I (my family) am well prepared This item needs minor adjustments I (we) are not prepared

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1 Prepare a list of requests and a list of where to find financial/password

information in case of death/injury including contents and location of safe

repository

2 Ensure that you, spouse, and trusted friend or relative have copy of above list and

knows where to find safe repository

3 Make and regularly update (annually is recommended) an inventory of all

your possessions including jewelry and clothing in written, video-recording

and/or photographed

4 Make duplicates of all personal address lists, keep updated

5 Keep a list of names and addresses of business and professional contacts and

those designated with powers of attorney or similar responsibilities

6 Keep list of immunizations up to date

7 Keep a list of updated passwords for financial and other accounts.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO HAVE: (Consult an attorney. Some forms are

available on software such as “Will Maker” or LegalZoom.com)

1. A Will

2 A Trust or Revocable Living Trust (possibly)

3.

A Living will (sometimes called an advanced healthcare directive). This makes your wishes known to your doctor and others, particularly about life-prolonging medical treatments

4 Designate someone as your Medical Power of Attorney. This person can carry out your wishes should you become incapable of doing so

5 A Financial Power of Attorney – designates someone to handle your financial affairs should you become unable to do so


KEY ELEMENTS

Mark "Status" Column G, Y, or R for Green, Yellow or Red

GYR I (my family) am well prepared This item needs minor adjustments I (we) are not prepared

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1 Become familiar with ReachGlobal Crisis Response Policies and Documents

2 Become familiar with ReachGlobal Team/Division crisis contingency plans

3 Become familiar with emergency passport and emergency travel letters information

4 Keep updated contact and emergency contact numbers on file at national office

and be certain that the person you name can really deal with an emergency

5

Prepare for two types of evacuation scenarios by identifying what you would take

with you and how you would accomplish an evacuation (e.g. method of

transportation, routes, staging areas and destination) for each of the following

circumstances, include a checklist of what you will take with you to assist with

urgent packing:

An evacuation with at least twenty-four hour's advance notice and in which a

carload (persons and belongings) could be taken

An evacuation with one hour's advance notice and in which only those items

that could be hand- carried could be taken

6 Develop family contingency plan in the event your family is apart in an

emergency (Discuss with your family what they will do in case of separation

and rendezvous location)

Make sure each family member has access to pertinent emergency numbers

8

Develop family plans for other possible family specific contingencies


FINANCIAL

Mark "Status" Column G, Y, or R for Green, Yellow or Red


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1 Prepare a list of financial considerations to address in the event of possible evacuation

2 Keep a list of up-to-date financial information (policies, contract deeds, stocks

and bonds, bank account information, list of assets and debt, etc.) Leave

information regarding passwords

3 Make list of bank account numbers, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers

4 Keep a list of regular billing dates for all recurring expenses, insurance, mortgage, and taxes

5 Establish joint checking accounts enabling each spouse to work from either

account in the event that you are separated for a period of time.

6 Obtain individual credit cards for self and spouse

7 Insure all property and update regularly, keep record of insurance policies

8 Review and possibly update your personal wills/and or trusts at least every

five years or sooner if significant event takes place such as the birth of a child

or major health issues

9 Keep latest statements of accounts from your financial institutions

10 Store checkbooks, blank checks, and a small amount of cash in a safe but easily accessible place


BUSINESS (Mission and Personal)

Mark "Status" column G,Y, or R for Green, Yellow, or Red


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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY EVACUATION, HAVE THESE ITEMS READY TO TAKE WITH YOU:

1 • Back up or hard copies of address lists, E-mail addresses

2

• Back up for hard drive from computer or notebook computer

3

• Updated emergency address and telephone lists

4

• Copies (electronic and paper) of manuscripts or irreplaceable documents

5

• Bankbooks

6

• Latest statements of accounts from financial institution (s)

7

• Important financial papers

ITEMS TO DESTROY

1 Financial documents that you don't take with you

2 Correspondence that was of a personal nature

3

4


TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Mark "Status" Column G,Y, or R for Green, Yellow, or Red


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1 Up-to-date passports available/or certified copy

2 Driver's license (local & foreign)

3 Maintain copies of:

4 • Car registration, serial and license number

5 • Other IDs

6 • Birth certificate

7 • Certificate of Citizenship

8 • Adoption papers (If applicable)

9 • Car Insurance

10 • Marriage license

11 • Social Security Card

12 • Immunization records

13 Supply of passport size photos to be used if essential documents need to be replaced

14 Supply of identification tags for luggage and personal effects to be used for sudden evacuations

15 Tickets or E-ticket Receipt

16 Cash ($)

17 Credit cards

18 ATM cards or debit cards

19 Other family documents


SURVIVAL KIT

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Prepare A FAMILY SURVIVAL KIT. Keep supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case of evacuation:

1 • Water--one gallon, per person, per day--3 day supply for evacuation, 2 week supply for home

2 • Food—nonperishable, easytoprepare items (3day supply for evacuation, 2week supply for

• home)

3 • Household first aid kit

4 • Cell phone plus extra cards (if applicable) and chargers

5 • Flashlight and extra batteries

6 • Battery powered or hand crank radio

7 • Medications (7 day supply or more), non-prescription medications and medical items

8 • Sanitation and personal hygiene items including towels

9 • Basic clothing and sturdy shoes for each family member

10 • Family and emergency contact information

11 • Extra cash

12 • Emergency blanket (s)

13 • Important family documents and keepsakes

14 • Basic Tools-multipurpose, manual can opener, matches, scissors, etc.

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES

1 Baby supplies (bottles, formula, diapers, baby food, medicines, etc.)

2 Books, toys, games, and activities (pencils, crayons, etc.) for children

3 Favorite blanket, stuffed animal to comfort children

4 Pet supplies

5 Extra set of car and house keys

6 Entertainment Items

OTHER ITEMS TO TAKE

1 Consult American Red Cross web site, "Get a Kit", for additional items to include

2

3

4

5

ReachGlobal Personal Crisis Planning Checklist

VEHICLE SECURITY

Mark "Status" Column G,Y, or R, for Green, Yellow, or Red


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1 Keep fuel tank at least half full at all times and in times of crisis purchase fuel whenever available

2 Drive with doors locked at all times

3 Be alert to road conditions and surroundings

4 If your car gets a puncture in the tires and you are unsure of safety at that

location, drive to a safer location before changing tires

5 In times of crisis drive in daylight hours whenever possible. At night, arrange for

two or more cars to travel in convoy.

6 Vary your routes to and from frequent destinations.

7 When possible, stay away from areas of: civil unrest, fires, crowds, high crime rates.

8 Know the location of police stations or other refuge points on or near your daily routes.

9 Always lock your car, even in your own garage

10 In a time of unrest, do not allow children to go out with only the driver and/or maid.

11 Take a cell phone with you wherever you go.

12 Keep a list of all contact numbers in your vehicle.

13 If all else fails while driving in a unavoidable threatening situation, drive with

your hand on the horn and activate your hazard lights.

ReachGlobal Personal Crisis Planning Checklist

HOME SECURITY

Mark "Status" column G, Y, or R for Green, Yellow, or Red


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1 Lock up all property even if your absence is intended to be brief.

2 Change all locks when moving in after a previous tenant or owner.

3 When possible, install viewing devices on all external doors. Identify callers

before opening the door.

4 Keep windows locked at appropriate times.

5 Keep external power and fuse boxes locked.

6 If possible, choose a residence that is in an integrated neighborhood housing

pattern, close to police and fire safety protection.

7 Install good security lighting.

8 Install a timer device to activate the lights in your home in your absence.

9 Consider grills on windows, but leave sufficient exits in case of a fire.

10 Install burglar alarms, heat and/or smoke detectors. Test regularly.

11 Instruct children and domestic staff in the use of the telephone.

12 Keep a list of important numbers near phones. Check periodically to ensure

numbers have not changed.

13 Be cautious if you must open doors or security gates to accept unexpected deliveries.

14 Instruct household staff and security guards not to allow access to your home

by callers who do not have an appointment.

Procedure Name: ReachGlobal staff and family medical and /or personal emergency procedures

Date Revised: 12/2017

ReachGlobal staff and family medical and/or personal emergency procedures A personal crisis is a major event that affects a missionary and/or immediate family in such a way that

their lives and ministry are significantly impaired or curtailed. The missionary’s team members lives and

ministry could also be seriously impacted.

These procedures are intended to meet the medical and/or personal emergency needs of RG Staff or

family members outside of the USA. Personal emergencies might include emotional trauma or other

non-medical issues that need immediate attention and care. A medical emergency might include an

accident or other life threatening medical issue.

When medical emergencies occur in places where there is no medical care to meet the need, the person

will be evacuated by Europ Assistance to a place where their medical need can be met. Contact Rick

Stigen if you are unsure about your participation in the medical evacuation policy.

In any case, if the emergency calls for onsite care, or if the person is evacuated to another country

(other than the USA), the following procedures will be followed.

When there is an emergency, the first person who is able must communicate the emergency to

someone in ReachGlobal to begin the procedures noted below.

Emergency First Steps

1. Communicate word of the emergency . Voice contact with someone in the National Office (primary contact numbers needed for

field) (1 800 745 2202, 1 952 297 6733) a. Voice contact with Team Leader, Area Leader, International Leader and/or Division Crisis

Manager b. When contacted about an emergency, one must find out who has been contacted and

who is on site to help. The first person in RG leadership (Team Leader, Area Leader, International Leader, Crisis Manager), contacted will take responsibility to pass on the information to other RG Leaders and ascertain who might be the case manager on site in this situation, or if someone needs to travel to the site immediately.

2. Set up case manager on site

• Normally the case manager would be an RG Staff person that is on site already or closest to the site. This person should display good judgment under pressure and, if possible, some fluency in the local language.

3. Set up case manager at the national office

• This will be a national office staff person that is trained for this type of case management



Onsite Case Manager Procedures

The onsite case manager has authority to allocate funds and make any decisions necessary to meet the

immediate needs of the emergency.

1. Be in voice contact with national office case manager to review procedures on site. 2. Contact Europ Assistance for protocol by onsite case manager (ID # N2CHUSR, Group No: 9907-

34-03, Name: EFCA ReachGlobal Phone #’s – 1-888-748-3261, call collect 1-240-330-1491 IMPORTANT NOTE: Some countries no longer support collect calls. Part of your emergency preparedness is to determine how you would call Europ Assistance in the event of an emergency. You should be able to dial the direct number from any mobile phone plan which supports international calling.)

a. Evacuation procedures if necessary b. Best hospitals c. Medical procedures

3. Ensure financial resources are available 4. Contact Area and Division leadership 5. Check on language needs 6. If medical conditions are serious, call for immediate family to be on site, prepare for onsite

arrangements: a. Housing b. On Site transportation c. Communication

7. The onsite case manager will be the official spokesperson to the media or others who inquire. 8. The onsite case manager has authority to consult with legal counsel as appropriate. 9. At an appropriate time following the emergency, follow-up with the family:

a. What lingering physical and emotional needs are unmet? b. Is counseling needed?

10. After the emergency has passed and the follow-up has been completed, debrief with RG Leadership

a. How could our response be improved in the future? b. Close the active case for the emergency with the national office case manager

National Office Case Manager Procedures

1. Ensure you have all the contact numbers and all possible means of communication with those at the emergency site.

2. Contact Leadership for prayer and information 3. Contact immediate family with information 4. If situation calls for immediate family to travel to site

a. Check on transportation needs of family as necessary b. Companion needs might be necessary c. Contact onsite case manager for lodging and onsite needs d. Contact onsite case manager for language needs e. Check on financial needs (transportation costs, lodging, etc.)



f. Check on communication needs (international cell phone with instructions on how to use it)

5. Ensure financial resources are in place– a. P-card credit lines at proper level? b. Wire information in place to wire funds as necessary? c. Cash for family or others to carry as necessary?

6. Set up medical resource person in states (normally would be Tom Cairns in the national office) 7. Evaluate our response to the emergency

a. Are there remaining physical or emotional needs of the family, the onsite manager, or the case manager?

b. How can we improve our response – debrief with all RG staff involved c. Close the case with the onsite case manager

Resources https://www.ready.gov/. This is a great resource on preparing for disasters. There are several categories, as well as resources. Under the “Financial Preparedness” tab, there is a downloadable checklist “Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.” This would be a helpful way to have a record of all the important information your family needs to have at hand. The American Red Cross has ideas for family emergency preparedness at Make a Plan If you Google “Family Emergency Preparedness Template,” you will get several results of templates to use.

Books: Checklist for My Family: A Guide to My History, Financial Plans and Final Wishes, by Sally Balch Hurme Family Emergency Plan, by Barry and Lynette Crockett. A preparedness guide and workbook, designed to help individuals and families appropriately prepare for and respond to emergencies.

https://www.ready.gov/

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html