Creating an Emergency Plan ensures that you and your loved ones have the knowledge and the necessities to get through tough situations. Depending on where you live, you may be more susceptible to certain risk factors than others. Some regions may be at a higher risk for extreme cold and extended power outages, while others may be prone to wildfires or flooding. So, it’s important to assess potential threats and make a personalized Emergency Plan to protect yourself and your loved ones from harm. Local authorities may or may not have resources available to aid the public during certain emergency responses (like having enough firefighters to deal with a rapidly spreading wildfire). Knowing the foreseeable threats your community faces and how it can respond to them will help you determine your personal responsibilities during a crisis. You should also consider any health conditions or disabilities that will affect how individual family members can respond to an emergency. For example, if you need to evacuate and a member of your family is living with a physical disability, you’ll need to plan a route that everyone can safely navigate.