How to Prepare

The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management suggests a simple four-step process for residents to prepare themselves, their communities and their businesses for naturally occuring or man-made emergencies. Click on the images below to view useful emergency preparedness information as well as what to do in response to a specific emergency like a hurricane, winter storm or terrorist attack.

When assembling a kit for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance : how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. Be informed about the potential emergencies that could happen to you.

Get involved with the Fairfax County Citizen Corps to help be better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds.