foR EmERgEncIES In TRIBal naTIonS

Preparing makes sense for american Indians 

and alaska natives. get ready now.

ready.gov

Preparing makes sense

In	the	past,	thunderstorms,	tornadoes,	flooding,	wildfires,	and	severe	winter	weather	

have	threatened	the	Northern	Plains.	Now	consider	the	possibility	of	home	fires	and	

even	terrorist	attacks.	Are	you	prepared	to	make	it	on	your	own	for	a	few	days	in	the	

event	of	an	emergency?

People	 of	 the	Plains	 recognize	 the	 importance	 of	 self-reliance	 as	 individuals	 and	

part	of	a	community.	Simple	preparations	today	can	keep	you	safe	during	a	disaster	

or	emergency.	 Have a plan. Be ready.

Recommended Supplies to Include 

in a Basic Kit:

❑ Water,	one	gallon	per	person	per	day,	for	drinking	and	sanitation

❑ Food,	at	least	a	three-day	supply	of	non-perishable	food	like	dried	fruit,

	 meat	or	fish,	protein	bars,	and	canned	goods

❑ Battery-powered	or	hand	crank	radio	and	a	NOAA	Weather	Radio	

	 with	tone	alert	and	extra	batteries	for	both

❑ Flashlight	and	extra	batteries

❑ Local	maps

❑ First	Aid	kit

❑ Whistle	to	signal	for	help

❑ Dust	mask	or	cotton	t-shirt,	to	help	filter	the	air

❑ Wrench	or	pliers	to	turn	off	utilities

❑ Can	opener	for	food	(if	kit	contains	canned	food)

❑ Plastic	sheeting	and	duct	tape	to	shelter	in	place

❑ Moist	towelettes,	garbage	bags,	and	plastic	ties	for	personal	sanitation

❑ Copies	of	wills,	family	records,	health	insurance	cards,	medical	

	 records,	tribal	ID	cards,	deeds,	credit	or	debit	card	and	bank	

	 account	information,	in	a	waterproof	container	

During an emergency you also may need:

❑ Infant	formula	and	diapers	

❑ Cell	phone	and	charger

❑ Cash	or	traveler’s	checks

❑ Change	of	clothes

❑ Prescriptions	and	a	week-long	supply	of	medications

❑ Eyeglasses,	hearing	aid	batteries,	wheelchair	batteries,	oxygen

❑ Operating	instructions	for	lifesaving	equipment

❑ Pet	food,	extra	water,	supplies,	and	medical	records

❑ Books,	playing	cards,	toys,	comfort	items
Step 1:

make a plan for what you 

will do in an emergency.

Develop a family communications Plan

Consider	 the	 following	 with	 your	 family	 and	 decide	 on	

an	 emergency	 plan	 together.	 Write	 down	 information	

that	isn’t	easy	 to	 remember,	and	 keep	it	in	a	 safe	place.	

Make	a	game	or	song	to	help	younger	children	memorize	

important	information.

3		Pick	one	friend	or	relative	to	call	to	help	your	family	get	in	contact	if	you	are	separated.	

An	out-of-town	contact	is	best	because	long-distance	phone	 service	is	less	likely	

than	local	service	to	be	affected	by	an	emergency.

3	 Know	where	 you	will	meet.	Pick	a	meeting	place	for	when	family	members	are	at	

home,	and	find	out	 the	evacuation	locations	for	work,	school,	day	care,	and	other	

places	family	members	often	go.

3	Make	a	list	of	important	information.	Write	down	important	information	for	all	family	

members—name,	 Social	 Security	 number,	 date	 of	 birth,	 and	 important	 medical	

information.	 Collect	 up-to-date	 names	 and	 telephone	 and	 policy	 numbers	 for	

doctors,	 pharmacies,	 and	 medical	 care,	 along	 with	 critical	 homeowner’s	 and/or	

rental	insurance	information.

Stay Where You are or get away?

Plan	 for	 both	 possibilities.	 Use	 common	 sense,	 news	 broadcasts,	 and	 any	 other	

available	information	to	determine	if	there	is	an	immediate	threat.	Watch	television	and	

listen	to	the	radio	for	official	instructions	from	local	emergency	managers.

Plan to Shelter-In-Place

If	 you	 see	 large	 amounts	 of	 debris	 in	 the	 air,	 or	 if	 local	 authorities	 say	 the	 air	 is	

badly	contaminated,	you	may	need	to	seal	the	room	and	stay	put.	Immediately	turn	

off	 air	 conditioning,	 forced-air	 heating	 systems,	 exhaust	 fans,	 and	 clothes	 dryers.	

Seal	 all	windows,	doors,	 and	 vents	 to	 create	 a	 temporary	barrier	between	 you	 and	

contaminated	air.	Stay	informed	through	the	best	method	available:	watch	TV,	listen	to	

the	radio,	or	check	the	Internet	for	official	instructions.

Plan to Evacuate if Instructed

If	 it	 is	 necessary	 to	 leave	 your	 home,	plan	 in	 advance	where	 to	go.	Keep	 your	gas	

tank	 half	 full	 and	 check	 out	 alternate	 routes.	 Consider	 your	 options	 if	 car	 travel	 is	

impossible.	Monitor	news	 reports	and	evacuate	immediately	when	 told	 to	do	so	by	

authorities.	Take	your	portable	emergency	kit.	Lock	the	door	behind	you.

Be	 sure	 you	 have	 a	 week-long	 supply	 of	 medicines,	 plus	 any	 medical	 supplies	 or	

equipment	 you	 use	 regularly.	 If	 you	 need	 electricity	 to	 operate	medical	 equipment,	

ask	providers	what	to	do	during	power	outages.	Enlist	family	and	friends	as	a	support	

network,	share	your	emergency	plans,	and	make	sure	they	have	a	key	to	your	home.

Work with others

Talk	with	your	extended	family	and	other	tribal	members	about	how	you	can	help	each	

other	in	an	emergency.	Ask	your	tribal	council	or	governing	body	about	the	emergency	

plan	for	your	community.

Step 2: get a kit of 

emergency supplies.

Think	 about	 fresh	 water,	 food,	 and	 clean	 air.	 You	 may	

need	to	rely	on	your	own	supplies	for	at	least	three	days,	

maybe	longer.	Local	officials	and	relief	workers	will	be	on	

the	scene	after	a	disaster,	but	they	cannot	reach	everyone	

immediately.	Basic	services	such	as	electricity,	gas,	water,	

sewer,	and	telephones	could	be	cut	off	for	days	or	longer.	

Review	lists	in	this	brochure	for	items	to	pack.

Remember	to	include	unique	family	needs	like	pet	supplies,	diapers	and	infant	formula,	

and	medications.	Store	these	items	in	easy-to-carry	bags	or	bins.	Consider	two	kits—

one	for	home	and	a	second	lightweight,	portable	kit	to	keep	in	your	car.

Step 3: Be informed about 

what might happen.

Some	of	the	things	you	can	do	to	prepare	for	the	

unexpected	are	the	same	regardless	of	the	type	

of	 emergency.	 However,	 it’s	 important	 to	 stay	

informed	about	what	 types	of	emergencies	are	

most	likely	to	affect	your	community.

Be	 prepared	 to	 adapt	 this	 information	 to	 your	

personal	 circumstances	 and	make	 every	 effort	

to	follow	instructions	 received	from	authorities.	

Above	 all,	 stay	 calm,	 be	 patient,	 and	 think	

before	you	act.	With	these	simple	preparations,	

you	can	be	ready	for	the	unexpected.