Individual/Family Preparedness
On this page:
General preparedness
Natural disasters
Disease hazards
Food and drinking water safety in emergencies
Chemical and radiological hazards
General preparedness
- Emergency Planning Documents
Checklists and forms to help you create an emergency plan.
- Ready.gov
Make a plan or print various kits. Non-MDH link
- FEMA Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
A booklet to help you get informed about local emergency plans, identify hazards that affect your local area, and develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Non-MDH link
- Family Information for Medical Emergencies
Gathering basic medical infomation about each member of your family can help you get the medical assistance you need during an emergency. Translated into 11 languages.
- Emergency Planning for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Needs
Emergencies or disasters are difficult for most families, but for those with special needs, the ability to manage can become more difficult. Resources and links to assist families in preparing and reacting to disasters and emergencies.
- Home Emergency Checklist (PDF: 45KB/2 pages)
Checklist of items to store at home so you'll be ready for an emergency.
Natural disasters
- Natural Disasters
Floods, cold weather, extreme heat and wildfires all occur periodically in Minnesota.
Disease hazards
- Bioterrorism
Bioterrorism basics, diseases that may be used to cause harm, and information for health professionals including infection control, laboratory testing, surveillance systems.
- Infectious Diseases and Conditions A to Z
Some infectious diseases can cause widespread emergencies.
- Pandemic Influenza Planning
Pandemic basics; information for schools, health professionals and local public health agencies; what MDH is doing to plan for a pandemic; and what other state agencies are doing.
Food and drinking water safety in emergencies
- Food Safety in Emergencies
Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
- Drinking Water Safety in Emergencies
Following natural disasters and other types of emergencies, drinking water in affected areas may become contaminated and cause outbreaks of disease. Problems with sanitation, including lack of water, toilet facilities, or damaged water wells can also increase the likelihood of waterborne disease.
Chemical and radiological hazards
- Chemical Emergencies
Answers questions about chemical terrorism, describes possible signs of harmful chemical exposures, more signs and health symptoms of a chemical attack or accident, contact information and more.
- Radiological Emergencies
What to do in the event of a radiologic emergency, and a link to the radiation control program.
What's New
Subscribe to What's New in OEP
Public Health, Healthcare, and Behavioral Health Preparedness Regions and Teams
Updated January, 2013.
Ready to Respond Newsletter - November, 2012
Fungal meningitis, anthrax, climate change, mobile medical teams, suspicious packages, continuity challenge, and a national award for the public health lab.
Minnesota Mobile Medical Teams (MMT)
New fact sheet with pictures.
For questions about this page, please use the Office of Emergency Preparedness Comment Form for the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
