Emergency Preparedness

The City of Worcester Emergency Management Division utilizes resources from the Department of Homeland Security's Ready campaign. Ready is a national public service effort designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement.

Be Informed

Know what disasters could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Check out the related links to learn what to do before, during and after each type of emergency.

ALERTWorcester
Get alerted about emergencies and other important community news by signing up for ALERTWorcester, the city's Emergency Notification System. ALERTWorcester enables the city to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuation of buildings or neighborhoods.

Learn more about disasters, emergency alerts, evacuations, and other emergency preparedness resources at Ready.gov

Ready.gov

Make a Plan

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you'll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find.

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.

How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

Different ages of members within your household
Responsibilities for assisting others
Locations frequented
Dietary needs
Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
Languages spoken
Cultural and religious considerations
Pets or service animals
Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own.

Emergency Plan for Parents

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

Learn more about making an emergency preparedness plan at Ready.gov

Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved before and after a disaster occurs. Learn more about organizations taking action in Worcester.

American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides disaster assistance across the United States for incidents varying from house fires to large-scale mass casualty incidents.

Learn more about how to get involved and take action before and after an emergency at Ready.gov

Ready.gov