Plan 9 Community Preparedness
Like all communities in New England, East Hartford is at risk for a wide variety of emergencies, including hurricanes, blizzards, flooding, fires and other events that could impact residents. Because of the risk of rapidly changing conditions during these events, residents can vastly improve their safety and self-sufficiency by making a plan and gathering a few essential items in case of natural disaster.
The goal of the Plan 9 campaign is to help residents create a personal or family disaster kit in a way that is easy, inexpensive, and fast. Before disaster strikes, a little advance planning can help create a sense of control and reduce stress. Start with a conversation, make a plan, and make a kit.
Although there are many items you can add to make your disaster kit more complete, we encourage you to first collect the following nine items:
- One (1) gallon of water per person per day for three (3) days.
- Non-perishable food such as canned or packaged food
- One (1) change of clothes and footwear per person
- Three (3) days' worth of prescription medications (if needed)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Manual can opener
- Battery-powered, solar-powered or hand-crank radio
- Hygiene items like soap, toilet paper and a toothbrush
- First aid basics like antiseptic, bandages and non-prescription medicine
The Plan 9 program is designed to promote community resilience and increase preparation in case of natural disaster or other civic emergency. The program also seeks provide residents with resources they can rely on in the event of personal emergencies, power or heat disruptions, fires or other circumstances that may temporarily or permanently require them to evacuate their homes.
The East Hartford Fire Department is distributing a limited number of Plan 9 reusable grocery bags to vulnerable populations and at promotional events. The department hopes these bags will encourage residents to prepare as well as encourage community readiness and resilience.
