Emergency Preparedness Delegations

With wildfires in California and severe winter storms across the East Coast, it's a good time to review emergency preparedness.

Natural disasters obviously don't announce themselves - they just arrive.

The key to handling emergencies is having systems. Clear protocols. Decisive action plans.

And ideally, someone to help execute them in advance.

Here's a checklist one Athena member used to navigate the LA wildfires recently, many of which can be facilitated by your assistant:

Air Quality

• Wildfires emit multiple contaminants: It’s not just PM2.5—there can be larger particles, toxic gases (especially from structural fires), and lingering odors. AQI contains only 5 main pollutants and hasn’t been updated in the last 30 years.
• Seal up your home - ideally nothing “bad” gets in
  • Doors & windows: Check weatherstripping, seal cracks, and close gaps to reduce infiltration of smoke.
  • Use weather tape or draft blockers around doors and window frames if you see light or feel air coming through.
• Ventilation & filtration - provide layers of protection
  • HVAC maintenance:
    • Use MERV 13+ filters. Replace them often during wildfire season.
    • Run your HVAC fan to circulate and filter indoor air (if safe to bring in outside air—depends on your system).
    • If possible, set your HVAC to recirculate instead of drawing in outside air when smoke is heavy.
  • Portable air purifiers:
    • Look for True HEPA (captures fine particulates like PM2.5).
    • Activated Carbon (for VOCs, odors). Potassium permanganate-impregnated carbon can capture additional hazardous gases. Ideally, look for over 5 lbs of activated carbon or more to maintain clean air during wildfires.
    • Check coverage area to match your room size (or consider multiple units).
• Air quality monitoring
  • Use apps or sites like AirNow.gov, PurpleAir, or local AQI reports to know when conditions spike. Consumer technology for VOCs is less developed than those for particulates, however.
  • If AQI is “Unhealthy” or higher, keep doors and windows closed as much as possible, stay indoors, etc.
• Personal protective gear: N95 or better (like P100) masks if you must go outside when smoke is heavy.

Electricity / WiFi

• Backup power
  • Battery packs / Solar generators: Keep portable lithium-ion power stations charged for phones, small appliances, and medical devices.
  • Natural gas or propane generator: Ensure you have proper ventilation and follow safety guidelines (never run a generator indoors).
  • Extension cords: Stock heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords for generator use.
• Internet continuity
  • Starlink or other satellite options: If cable/DSL lines go down, satellite internet can be a lifeline.
  • Battery backup for routers: A small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) can keep your router and modem running through brief outages.
• Lighting
  • Keep flashlights (with spare batteries) or rechargeable LED lanterns accessible.
  • Headlamps free your hands for other tasks.

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Water

• Filtration & Purification
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO): Removes a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved solids and some chemicals.
  • Carbon filter: Helps with odors, chlorine, and certain chemicals not captured by RO alone.
  • Boiling: Kills biological contaminants (bacteria, viruses), but does not remove chemicals or heavy metals.
  • Portable purification: If you rely on well water or suspect contamination (especially post-fire), have a plan for testing or a backup purification method (e.g., Lifestraw, Sawyer filter, or bleach drops in emergencies).
• Storage
  • Extra bottles: Keep at least a 3-day supply (1 gallon/person/day minimum) on hand for drinking, cooking, and minimal hygiene.
  • Rotate stock every 6–12 months if storing supermarket jugs.
• Rain/Storm runoff
  • Post-wildfire, rain can wash ash and debris into local water sources. Stay aware of local advisories about water safety or boil notices.

Other key preparations

• Go-Bag / Evacuation kit
  • Key documents (IDs, insurance policies) and cash (small bills).
  • Medications (and prescriptions), basic first-aid supplies, extra phone charger/cables.
  • Change of clothes, sturdy shoes, and essential toiletries.
  • Sentimental items, such as family pictures, kids’ stuffed animals and blankets, and other irreplaceable items.
• Fire suppression tools
  • Fire extinguisher(s) (ABC-rated) in home. Know how to use them (PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
  • Garden hoses or extinguishers accessible outdoors
• Vehicle preparedness
  • Keep gas tanks at least half full.
  • Stock a small emergency kit (jumper cables, blanket, flashlight).