Saint Joseph's College of Maine
 

Individual and Family Pandemic Planning

As in other emergencies, pandemic influenza could affect everyday life.  Schools and businesses might be closed, travel could be limited, and there may be some shortages during an influenza pandemic.  By preparing now, you can help protect yourself and your family when a pandemic does occur. As you plan, it is important to think about the challenges that you might face.  Below are some resources to help you with your planning.  

Pandemic Influenza Guide for Individuals and Families

Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist for Individual and Families

To plan for a Pandemic:

Store a minumum of a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.

Here are some suggestions:

  • Nonperishable food that does not require cooking  such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups, crackers, canned juices, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, canned or jarred baby food and formula and pet food
  • Supply of bottled water - at least one gallon per person per day
  • Portable, battery powered radio with extra batteries
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Telephone that works if the electricity is off
  • Have any prescription drugs and nonprescription drugs on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, anti-diarrheal medication and vitamins
  • Have extra supplies of cleansing agent/soap or alcohol-based (80-95%) hand wash
  • Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, garbage bags
  • Thermometer
  • Manual can opener

Make a Family Communications Plan

Gather all family phone numbers and write them down. Decide how and where to meet in an emergency. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes. During a major disaster local phone systems and cell phone systems may be jammed.

  • Plan how you will contact one another and what you will do.
  • Establish an out-of-town contact, perhaps a relative or friend.
  • Make sure family members have each other's contact numbers at work, school, daycare, etc.
  • Keep phone numbers up-to-date.

Stay Informed

The most important thing you can have in any emergency is good information. Knowing what is happening, or what could happen, allows you to make good decisions for yourself and your family.

  • Pay attention to what is going on in your community that may threaten your family: severe weather, fires, flooding, etc.
  • Pay attention to weather forecasts from your favorite radio or television station, or on the Internet.
  • Consider signing up for Maine.gov's Citizen Alert System, to receive e-mail or cell phone notification of State government office closures or alerts issued by State agencies.