Last week we explored the first pillar of what it means to be #BeRebelSAFE: Be Informed. Knowing all the ways to receive emergency notifications, no matter your location, is fundamental. What comes next? Pillar 2 is developing your emergency plan.

Whether it’s an earthquake, drought, extreme heat, fire, flash flood, or hazardous material emergency, planning in advance and knowing what you will do in different emergency situations is key to your safety.

It begins with developing a communications plan — this means answering the “What if?” questions: “What if something happens and I’m not with my family? Will I be able to reach them? How will they know if I’m safe? What if I don’t have my cell phone?”

During an emergency you will need to send and receive information from family or friends. Communication networks we rely on every day, our cell phones or social networks, may be unreliable or unavailable. Planning in advance will help ensure that all the members of your household know other ways reach one another.

Step 1: Assemble a list of family, relatives, and friends to call, text, or email in the event of an emergency.

Step 2: Compile this information onto a contact card. Consider including emergency phone numbers for local hospitals, family doctors, pharmacies, neighbors, utility companies, poison control centers, veterinarians, etc.

Step 3: Make sure everyone carries a copy in his or her backpack, wallet, purse, or car. Stick one of the family fridge or on your bulletin board in your dorm room.

Step 4: Practice often. Discuss with your roommate what you would do if you needed to evacuate your residence hall — pick a location to meet and consider the different ways to get there. Define safe places with your family: indoors, in your neighborhood, and outside of your neighborhood and city. Practice sending text messages and what they should say to let others know you’re safe.

Preparedness begins at home, take the steps today toward developing an emergency plan and #BeRebelSAFE.

For additional information visit https://www.unlv.edu/safety or contact the Office of Emergency Management at 702-895-5766.