Establish Priorities

Each location has different potential disasters, and each individual or family may have different challenges when preparing for a disaster. As a result, you should not automatically use someone else’s checklist for your individual situation.

You should consider the following factors when setting priorities in emergency preparedness planning:

  • Consider the likelihood of each potential disaster, as well as how imminent a threat that disaster could actually be
  • Consider the level of risk to life and property from the potential disaster
  • Consider the types of preparation needed for the potential disaster
  • Consider how much time and money you have available to prepare for each type of disaster
  • Also consider that there are many things that can be done that will benefit your family in more than one potential disaster
  • Then, consider the likelihood and risk of each disaster, combined with the cost of resources to prepare for the disaster, to help you prioritize those disasters. Where it makes sense, place a higher priority on tasks or resources that benefit your family during multiple types of high-risk disasters
  • Finally, put together a plan, and a budget, for accomplishing the most important disaster preparations first, followed by those of lesser importance, as discovered in the process outlined above.
  • Realize that preparation for most disasters isn’t an all-or-nothing process. It is possible to do the most effective “low-hanging fruit” first, or to gather resources that are less costly first, then fill in the complete solution later, as time and resources allow. For example, a used gym bag filled with bottled water, canned soup and crackers, and mylar emergency blankets may be an economical temporary solution for a 72 hour kit, until you can plan and save up for a more complete and functional 72 hour kit.
  • Most of all, seek and follow the promptings of the Spirit as you consider these factors. If you are still unsure of those promptings, trust your basic instincts as you weigh the priorities of various preparedness options.