Emergency prep guest commentary: Your preparedness helps protect your community
Emergencies can happen with little warning, making preparedness one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself, your family and your community. Whether it’s assembling an emergency kit, storing food and water, or creating an evacuation plan, taking simple steps in advance can help you respond swiftly when it matters most. As an emergency medical services provider, American Medical Response (AMR) sees firsthand how preparedness can help families navigate disasters safely and confidently.
During an emergency, such as a wildfire, flood, or earthquake, the decisions we make as individuals can have an impact on the entire community. When every moment is critical, preparation supports the entire emergency response system.
During large-scale incidents, first responders continue providing care throughout the community while navigating potential road closures, damaged infrastructure, or increased demand for emergency services.
It’s during these times when situations that would otherwise be manageable under normal conditions, can quickly become more serious. Being prepared helps communities remain resilient during emergencies and ensures everyone is in the best position to access help quickly if it becomes needed.
PLAN NOW FOR POWER-DEPENDENT MEDICAL NEEDS
A prolonged power outage, while an inconvenience for most households, can become a medical emergency for someone who relies on electrically powered medical equipment. If you or someone in your residence relies on oxygen equipment or other powered medical or mobility devices, consider the following.
• Have extra battery packs on hand, know how long the batteries will last, how they can be recharged and what options are available if the outage extends that window
• Connect with your health care provider for emergency plan guidance
• Don’t wait until after your power goes out to have a backup plan in place
MAKE MEDICATIONS PART OF YOUR EMERGENCY PLAN
Emergencies can lead to evacuations, road closures and temporary disruptions to businesses and services. Even when a pharmacy remains open, getting there may not be possible. The last thing you want to worry about is where your essential medications are.
• Speak to a health care provider or pharmacist about how to prepare in times of emergency
• Keep your necessary medications accessible and stocked
• Maintain an up-to-date list of medications, including dosages, allergies and relevant medical conditions that can be placed with your emergency supplies
• Consider having another copy of the list available electronically
DON’T TURN ONE EMERGENCY INTO ANOTHER
One of the most important factors during an emergency is knowing what not to do.
For example, do not attempt to drive through floodwater or around road-closure barriers. Water may be deeper or faster-moving than it appears. Or, the roadway may have been damaged or washed away.
Not only does entering a flooded roadway potentially put you and your car occupants at risk — a preventable situation could escalate into a rescue operation requiring a response from EMS personnel and other emergency first responders at a time when they may already be responding to multiple critical incidents.
The same principle applies during other emergencies. Follow evacuation orders, respect road closures and avoid entering hazardous areas. Taking unnecessary risks can endanger you, the people with you and the responders who may have to come to your aid.
KNOW WHERE TO TURN FOR INFORMATION — AND WHEN TO CALL 911
Before an emergency, identify how you will receive official alerts and information from local authorities. Here in Ventura County, residents can set up VC Alerts, which is a notification system that delivers time-sensitive emergency alerts in English and Spanish when there is a threat to health and safety.
The County also maintains a VC Emergency website which provides information on evacuation instructions, shelter locations and road closures.
911 is used for immediate threats to life or safety. If you, or someone else, is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 without delay. When calling 911, be prepared to provide your location and information about the emergency to help dispatchers send resources as quickly as possible.
PREPAREDNESS IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT
Emergency preparedness ultimately comes down to thinking ahead and creating a plan.
• Have proactive conversations with members of your household to determine immediate steps to be taken in times of emergency
• Know what your household would need during an extended outage
• Make a plan for essential medical equipment
• Keep medications and medical information accessible
• Sign up for emergency alerts and identify how you will receive emergency information
• Avoid unnecessary risks during hazardous conditions
Small actions can make a huge difference during a large-scale emergency, when you consider the thousands of individuals impacted. Emergency responders train and prepare every day to answer the call when communities need them most.
By taking simple preparedness steps in advance, residents can help protect themselves, their families and neighbors to create a stronger, more resilient community before the next emergency occurs.
• A leading EMS provider, AMR offers emergency and non-emergency ambulance transportation, patient care and medical services nationwide. Visit amr.net for more information.
