Message from the Michigan Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division:

Since the horrific events of September 11th, there are certain steps we must take to protect Michigan families for the known and unknown threats that may confront us.

This Family Preparedness Guide has been created to help you develop an emergency plan, provide information on how to assemble a Emergency Supply Kit, and provides specific contact telephone numbers and websites you can use for emergency assistance.

Emergencies can strike at any time. Families, neighborhoods and local communities can improve their safety by working together with emergency managers, law enforcement, and local school administration staff.

We all have a responsibility to be ready. We hope you find this guide useful

Sincerely,
Capt. W. Thomas Sands
Commander
Michigan State Police
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division

Family Preparedness Guide

The Michigan Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division is the agency of state government charged with the responsibility for insuring the state and its local governments are prepared to deal with the disasters and emergencies that affect the state and its citizens.

Each day, hundreds of emergencies take place across the state. Occasionally, those emergencies will exceed the technical or logistical capacity of local government, and may require the assistance of the state and/or federal governments. It is EMHSD's job to coordinate the application of state and federal resources within Michigan to achieve the maximum benefit and to mitigate the damage and suffering in the shortest amount of time possible. EMHSD can't do that job alone - we have the assistance of over 15 Michigan state government departments, and several federal and private sector organizations

It is also up to the individual citizen of Michigan to be educated as to what kinds of disasters can reasonably be expected within Michigan, what measures the individual can take to mitigate the effects of such events, and what to do in the event of an actual emergency or disaster. This web site is here to help you with that task. In the event that you are affected by such an occurrence, you will be able to find out what kinds of assistance are available to you here as well.

Local Emergency Management Contacts

Contact Your Local Emergency Management Programs

Additional Information on Emergency Preparedness

Contact The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at: (800) 480-2520 or www.fema.gov

Department of Homeland Security Are You Ready Guide

Michigan Citizen Corps

Getting Involved - Citizen Corps

FEMA's Document Library of Preparedness and Prevention

American Red Cross