Disaster & Disease Prepareness: Things to Consider

• Plan for disruption of services. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government buildings and post offices may be closed.
  
  
• Utilities, including phone, cable and Internet access may be affected.
  
  
• Prepare backup plans for regularly scheduled meetings or gatherings.
  
  
• Consider how to care for people with special needs if the services they rely on are not available.
  
  Schools and universities may be closed for extended periods of time.
  
  
• Evacuating and closing the university may be necessary in the event of disruption of services and utilities or to prevent the spread of disease.
  
  
• Duration of the closure will vary, depending upon the magnitude of the emergency. Students need to discuss this with their families and agree upon a plan.
  
  
• Transportation services may be disrupted.
  
  
  • This is especially important for students who are far from home.
    
    
  • Prepare a backup plan for taking care of loved ones who are far away.
    
    
  • Consider alternate transportation, as well as the possibility of working or learning from home.
    
    
  • For those who live off campus, it is important to have plenty of food and supplies on hand. (The current recommendation is a two- to four-week supply of food and drinking water).