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Knock and introduce yourself
Visit the houses near you and ask if they would join a simple street plan. Start with the people you already know.
Safe and sound
Your neighborhood emergency plan
A printed street list, a group chat and check-in pairs, so the most at-risk neighbors get a knock first.
Time90 min
LevelEasy
Steps6
Official sources3
In the first hours of a disaster, the nearest help is usually the people next door. A street that has talked beforehand looks after its oldest, youngest and sickest first.
What you need
Gather these before you start.
- Contact list on paper: 1 per household on the street
- Phone for a group chat
- Pen
Step by step
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Find out who needs help
Note who lives alone, who is older, who has small children or pets, and who relies on power for oxygen, dialysis or cold medicines. Ask each person what help they would want.
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List who has what
Write down who has first-aid training, a generator, a chainsaw, a ladder, a 4x4 or spare rooms. In an emergency you will know whom to ask.
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Share contacts
Make a paper list of names, numbers and a contact outside the area for each household, and start a group text or chat. Phones die, so give every house a printed copy.
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Assign check-ins
Pair each household with one or two others to check on after a storm, an outage or a heat wave. Agree to knock or call within the first few hours.
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Meet once a year
Hold a short street meeting or barbecue to update the list and welcome new neighbors. A free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course teaches useful basics if anyone wants more.
The numbers
| What | How many |
|---|---|
| Printed contact list | 1 per household |
| Contact outside the area | 1 per household |
| Check-in partners | 1 or 2 households each |
| Street meeting to update the list | 1 a year |
Ready.gov, Older adults
Stay safe
- Do not enter a damaged building to check on someone. Call emergency services.
- Call emergency services at once if a neighbor is hurt, confused or unresponsive.
When you're done
| Result | A printed street list, a group chat and check-in pairs, with the most at-risk neighbors known to everyone. |
|---|---|
| Keep it ready | Update the list every year and when someone moves in or out. |
Questions people ask
What should a neighborhood emergency plan include?
Names and numbers for every household, plus one contact outside the area for each. Add who lives alone or relies on power for oxygen or dialysis, who has a generator or first-aid training, and who checks on whom.
How do you start neighborhood emergency preparedness?
Knock on the doors near you, starting with people you already know, and ask them to join a simple street plan. Then pair each household with one or two others to check on after a storm, an outage or a heat wave.
Is there free emergency training for neighbors?
Yes. A free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course teaches basic disaster skills to anyone on the street who wants more.
Sources
- Ready.gov, Older adults
- Ready.gov, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Ready.gov, Evacuation (check on neighbours)
Related guides
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