Sept. 24, 2024. Reno, Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH)’s Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness Program (EPHP) encourages everyone to be proactive and prepare themselves and their family for emergencies ahead of time by making a plan and building a kit with crucial items.
The Davis Fire is a powerful reminder that disaster can strike unexpectedly. Coincidentally, it occurred during National Preparedness Month, which reminds people that preparing for emergencies and disaster, such as wildfires, can keep everyone safe.
As part of a family emergency plan, NNPH urges everyone to determine potential evacuation routes, plan where to shelter in case of evacuation, and decide how to communicate with family and household members.
Learn more about alerts and warnings on Washoe County’s website >>
When creating a plan, consider several factors, including:
- Ages and responsibilities of household members
- Dietary, medical, and medication needs and restrictions
- Disabilities or functional needs, including devices and equipment
- Language, cultural and religious considerations
- Pets and service animals
Find more information on making a family emergency plan on Ready.gov >>
Additionally, NNPH encourages all residents to build an emergency kit with enough resources and supplies to last several days. It’s also recommended to inventory home contents before an emergency, by taking photos or videos.
It’s recommended to have a go kit at home in case you need to quickly evacuate, and emergency items and supplies at work and in your car. Examples of critical items include, but is not limited to:
- Water and non-perishable food
- Cash in small bills
- Medications and prescriptions
- Photo ID
- Cell phone charger
- Clothes and toiletries for 3-5 days
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Copies of financial statements, birth certificates and/or medical records
A wildfire evacuation checklist is available at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Living with Fire program website, and more information on creating a kit is available on Ready.gov.
NNPH’s Public Health Preparedness Program writes plans that guide the response to public health emergencies, such as bioterrorism and natural disasters. In addition, the program coordinates and participates in training, drills, and exercises to test those plans and increase the ability to respond to such emergencies.
###
Please note the Washoe County Health District changed its name to Northern Nevada Public Health on Aug. 31, 2023. More information is here.
Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.