Personal 

Preparedness = Agency Preparedness

INTRODUCTION

All Continuity of Operations planning starts with 

personal and family preparedness. 

— Kirk Knoll, GPO Business Continuity Manager

Everyone should have at least three days worth of basic 

supplies on hand to survive when an emergency occurs. 

This flip-book contains some basic items that every 

personal emergency go-kit should include. However, it 

is important that individuals consider where they live and 

the unique needs of their families in order to create an 

emergency go-kit that will meet their needs. Individuals 

should also consider having multiple emergency go-kits, 

one at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, 

vehicle and other places they spend time. 

Go-kits are an individual effort. The Federal Government 

does not currently offer incentive or subsidize the development 

of go-kits. GPO however, promotes go-kits as a beneficial 

initiative for personal preparedness.
HOME GO-KIT CHECKLIST

 Water, one gallon per person per day for at least 

three days

 Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable 

food

 Battery powered or hand crank radio and 

NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra 

batteries for both

 Flashlight and extra batteries.

 First aid kit

 A whistle to signal for help

 Dust mask to help filter contaminated air

 Plastic sheeting and duct-tape to shelter-in-place

 Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for 

personal sanitation

 Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

 Can opener for food

 Local maps

 Prescription medication and glasses
Additional Home Considerations

 Important family documents in waterproof 

container; including emergency contact lists

 Cash or travelers checks

 Sleeping bags and warm blankets

 Fire extinguishers

 Matches in waterproof container

 Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
PERSONAL OFFICE GO-KIT

In the event that an emergency occurs while at 

work, a personal go-kit will enhance your ability to 

react and recover. Further, personal go-kits allow 

for self-sufficiency which diminishes the reliance on 

emergency responders and creates a focused response 

environment. 

Creating a personal go-kit for the office is beneficial for 

shelter-in-place emergencies, evacuations, and general 

personal care. 

Please utilize the home go-kit checklist as a reference 

for creating your personal office go-kit. 

Offices should also have an office go-kit which contains 

pertinent documentation or other office supplies for the 

continuation of business processes. Business Unit COOP 

Coordinators are responsible for maintaining office go-kits. 
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHILDREN

 Formula, bottled water, bottles 

 Jars of baby food and baby spoons 

 Diapers and diaper rash ointment 

 Medications 

 Moist towelettes and hand sanitizer 

 Blankets, pacifiers, and layers of clothing 

 Sunhat in warm months, warm hat in cool months 

 Several small, lightweight toys 

 Identify alternative caretakers for children in the 

event you are unavailable

 Become familiar with the school’s emergency plan

Create an Emergency Plan Card

 Personal identification information

 School information

 Parent/guardian information

 Emergency meeting locations

 Important contact information

 Alternative caretaker information
ELDERLY AND SPECIAL NEEDS

 Create a personal support network of family and 

friends who can help you in an emergency

 Make sure that someone in your network has a 

key to your home and knows where you keep 

emergency supplies 

 Keep at least a week’s worth of medications on 

hand

 Keep a copy of all prescriptions as well as dosage 

or treatment information

 If you undergo any regular medical treatments, 

or if you require home health care services, talk to 

your service provider about its emergency plans

 Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what else 

you need to prepare

 If you are dependent on electricity for a wheelchair 

or any life-sustaining device, consult your power 

provider

 Make copies of important documents, including 

your health insurance and Medicare and Medicaid 

cards
 Keep this list in your go-kit, along with the names 

and phone numbers of the people in your support 

network

 For your go-kit, consider items such as eyeglasses, 

hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, wheelchair 

batteries, oxygen, dentures, and emergency foods 

that meet any special dietary needs

Some local emergency management offices maintain registers 

of people with disabilities and registers of older people so you 

can be located and assisted quickly in a disaster. Contact your 

local emergency management agency to see if these services 

exist where you live.
PET CONSIDERATIONS

 ID collar and rabies tag 

 Current photo (in case they get lost) 

 Carrier and leash 

 Medications 

 Newspapers and plastic trash bags 

 Veterinary records 

 At least a three-day supply of food and water

If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. 

However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important 

to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan 

in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you 

and your pets.

Identify relatives or neighbors that can care for your pets in 

the event you are unavailable.
NATIONAL RESOURCES

www.Ready.gov

www.FEMA.gov

www.DHS.gov

www.DisasterHelp.gov

www.CitizensCorp.gov

LOCAL RESOURCES

District of Columbia

www.72hours.dc.gov

Maryland

http://www.mema.state.md.us

Virginia

www.vaemergency.com
BUSINESS CONTINUITY

Lyle L. Green

GPO Business Continuity

ph 202.512.0224

mb 202.441.6791

llgreen@gpo.gov

Please do not hesitate to contact 

our office for planning assistance.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

732 North Capitol Street, NW

Washington, DC 20401-0001

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