Emergency Preparedness

Plan for Your Risks

Disaster preparedness is an important priority for the Grant County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). It is critical for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses to make emergency plans, practice those plans, and communicate the plan before, during, and after emergencies. There are actions that should be taken before, during, and after an event that are unique to each hazard. Identify the hazards that have happened or could happen in your area and plan for the unique actions for each. The OEM can help identify the hazards in your area. It's never too early to prepare! For assistance with threat assessment and hazard identification please contact the OEM. Additional information on basic preparedness at home can be found in the September 2025 FEMA National Preparedness Month Toolkit: 2025 FEMA National Preparedness Month Toolkit

Be Informed About Disaster Risks

There are a variety of hazards for which we should prepare. Get familiar with the hazards facing Grant County. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has collected information about many of the potential emergencies we face today. Visit the ready.gov website to get detailed information about the potential emergencies for which you should prepare and how to make appropriate plans. The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NMDHSEM) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) have also prepared family preparedness guides. The OEM has copies of these guides that are available by request. Emergency preparedness for seniors can be located at the following links https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/emergency-preparedness-older-adults/ prepared by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and  https://www.caring.com/caregivers/disaster-preparedness-guide/ prepared by Caring.com. Additionally, information on asbestos and disasters can be located at https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/natural-disasters/ prepared by Asbestos.com and the Mesothelioma Center.

Sheltering in Place vs. Evacuations

Understand the difference by viewing Sheltering in Place and/or Evacuations. Talk with your family and friends about what you will do if you're not together during an emergency. Discuss how you'll contact each other, where you'll meet, and what you'll do in different situations.

Communicate Your Plan

Make sure you and your loved ones know what to do in an emergency. Once you've created your plan - talk about it. Be sure everyone knows who to call, where to meet, what to pack, and how to reach one another in the event of an emergency.

Build an Emergency Kit

A disaster can happen anywhere you live and work. The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical. Electricity, gas, water, and telephones may not be working. In addition, public safety services such as police and fire departments may not be able to reach you immediately during a serious crisis. Each person should be prepared to be self-sufficient - able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, and telephones - for at least three days following a disaster. But you should make it a goal to build an emergency kit with two weeks supply of food, water, and other necessary supplies. The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) has provided a 72-hour Emergency Go-Bag Preparedness guide for assistance. NM OSI Emergency Go Bag

Dangerous weather and other emergency situations can and will happen while you're away from home and/or traveling. Plan ahead and prepare your car and have items you may need at work or where you may travel frequently (a loved one's home that you visit often, for example). Check out car safety considerations and ideas for making an Emergency Kit for your vehicle.

Maintaining Your Emergency Supply Kit

Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed.

Here are some tips and more information links to keep your supplies ready and in good condition:

  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
  • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect it from pests and to extend its shelf life.
  • Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented, or corroded.
  • Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies.
  • Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
  • Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
  • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family's needs change.
  • Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trashcan, camping backpack, or duffel bag.