The 72 Group

• Learn about hazards that may strike your community, the risks you face from these hazards and your community’s plans for warning and evacuation. You can obtain this information from your local emergency management office or your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

• In addition to finding out about your community’s plan, it is important that you know what plans are in place for your workplace and your children’s school or day care center.

• Ask your local authorities about methods used to warn your community.

• The emergency Alert System (EAS) can address the entire nation on very short notice in case of a grave threat or national emergency. Ask if your local radio and TV stations participate in the EAS.

• The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service office to specifically configured NOAA weather radio receivers. Determine if NOAA Weather Radio is available where you live. If so, consider purchasing a NOAA weather radio receiver.

• Ask local authorities about emergency evacuation routes.

• When community evacuations become necessary, local authorities provide information to the public through the media.  In some circumstances other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, are also used.