Storms, blackouts, and community-wide emergencies can happen with little warning. Whether it’s a severe winter storm, summer heat outage, coastal flooding, or a widespread infrastructure failure, families who prepare ahead of time are safer, calmer, and more capable of handling the unexpected.

This guide from BVAC Rescue Response Training Center helps families build practical emergency kits, create reliable safety plans, and understand when to call 911—long before first responders arrive.

Why Disaster Readiness Matters

New York City and surrounding areas face a growing number of weather-related and infrastructure emergencies, including:

• Hurricanes and tropical storms

• Heat-related blackouts and rolling outages

• Heavy snow, ice storms, and nor’easters

• Flooding and storm surge

• Extreme cold or heat

• Downed power lines and communication failures

Emergencies often disrupt essential services—electricity, cell networks, heat, air conditioning, water, and transportation. A prepared family can stay safe, sheltered, and informed until help is available.

Key Safety Principles

1. Early Recognition Prevents Escalation

Understand the signs of worsening conditions—rapid temperature drops, water intrusion, the smell of smoke, carbon monoxide alarms, or medical symptoms.

2. Immediate First Steps Save Lives

Simple actions like shutting off utilities, moving to a safe room, providing warmth, or controlling bleeding can stabilize the situation.

3. Families Are the First Responders

Most emergencies begin and evolve long before EMS can arrive. Caregivers, neighbors, and community members are the first line of defense.

When to Call 911 During Storms or Outages

Call immediately if:

• Someone has trouble breathing or severe chest pain

• There is confusion, stroke symptoms, or sudden unresponsiveness

• Bleeding cannot be controlled with pressure or a tourniquet

• A serious injury occurs during evacuation or cleanup

• You suspect carbon monoxide poisoning

• You see sparking wires, unsafe electrical hazards, or fire

• You are unsure but believe the situation may be life-threatening

Never hesitate—emergency services are there to help, even in severe conditions.

Build a Family Disaster Kit (72-Hour Minimum)

A complete emergency kit should support your household for at least three days without outside resources.

Must-Have Supplies

• Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day)

• Nonperishable food & manual can opener

• First-aid kit & medications

• Flashlights & extra batteries

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

• Portable chargers or power banks

• Warm clothing, blankets, and ponchos

• Copies of important documents

• Cash (ATMs may not work)

• Multi-tool or basic tools

• Hygiene items & sanitation bags

Power Outage Essentials

• LED lanterns (safer than candles)

• Surge protectors or unplugged electronics

• Cooler & ice packs for medication or food

• Thermometer for refrigerator safety

• Backup heating or cooling solutions

Storm-Specific Items

• Sandbags or flood barriers

• Waterproof containers

• Extra pet food & supplies

• Duct tape & plastic sheeting for window protection

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Create a Family Emergency Action Plan

Every household should have a simple, written plan that includes:

Communication Plan

• Primary and backup phone numbers

• Out-of-area emergency contact

• Meeting points (inside and outside the neighborhood)

• Instructions if cell networks go down

Evacuation Plan

• Know local shelter locations

• Plan safe routes by car & foot

• Pack a “go bag” for each family member

• Include pets in evacuation planning

Shelter-in-Place Plan

• Identify a safe room for storms

• Have emergency lighting ready

• Store water, blankets, and first-aid supplies

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Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Relying solely on cell phones

• Using candles during blackouts (fire risk)

• Running generators indoors (deadly carbon monoxide)

• Waiting too long to evacuate

• Forgetting pet supplies

• Not maintaining kits regularly

Check your supplies every 3–6 months.

Training Makes the Difference

During disasters, emergency services may be delayed or overwhelmed.
Hands-on training empowers families to act confidently when it matters most.

BVAC Rescue Response Training Center offers:

• AHA CPR/AED

• First Aid Certification

• BVAC First Response Essentials

• Stop the Bleed

• Tactical Medicine

• Community Emergency Preparedness Programs

These courses give families the skills needed to stay safe, respond effectively, and save lives.