Creating a Disaster Plan

A little foresight can go a long way—make a plan now, so you know how to find and get in touch with your people when something happens. The same connections that are important in your everyday life—with your family, roommates, neighbors, and friends—are even more crucial in a crisis.

Set up your meet up

First, make an emergency plan with your inner circle of friends, roommates, or immediate family. That way, you will all know what to do in an emergency.

What basics does your plan need to include?

1. Select a few of your nearest and dearest. Who will you want to get in touch with if something happens?
2. Pick an out of town contact. Who can serve as a hub for information if you can’t reach others in Berkeley or the Bay Area?
3. Agree on a place to meet. How about a park? A landmark? Don’t choose a house—in case it’s inaccessible.

Print your plan

Use the simple forms in this PDF to make a plan with a few people close to you, so you all know what to do in the event of an emergency. Print a copy for yourself, and email or print copies for the people in your group. Stick your copy on the fridge—or somewhere else you won’t forget.

• Emergency Preparedness – English
• Emergency Preparedness – Spanish
• Emergency Preparedness – Farsi
• Emergency Preparedness – Chinese

What to do during and after a quake

Print our Earthquake Preparedness Brochure to learn a few easy steps to keep your cool when the earth shakes.

• Earthquake Preparedness – English
• Earthquake Preparedness – Spanish
• Earthquake Preparedness – Farsi
• Earthquake Preparedness – Chinese

During a quake

1. Drop, cover, and hold on.
   Duck under a strong table or desk. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Stay against an interior wall. Stay away from windows.
2. Stay calm.
   Keep calm and carry on. Keeping your wits about you will ensure that you make safe choices for yourself and those around you.
3. Stay put.
   Shelter in place—whether you’re in a car, in bed, or in a public place. Do not try to run out of a building during strong shaking, hold tight until the shaking stops. If you’re outdoors, steer clear of wires or falling objects.

After a quake

1. Leave a trail.
   If you leave home, leave a sign telling friends and family your location. Digitally savvy? Send a Tweet or Facebook update telling everyone you know that you’re ok.
2. Stay tuned.
   Listen to the radio for important information and instructions. Remember that aftershocks, which generally follow large quakes, can be large enough to cause damage in their own right.
3. Check cityofberkeley.gov and any emergency notifications you signed up for.