COMMUNITY READINESS ASSESSMENT

How Prepared Is Your Household and Community?

Emergencies can interrupt food access, water, electricity, transportation, communication, medical services, and other systems we depend upon every day.

This short assessment is designed to help individuals, families, neighborhoods, faith communities, and community organizations identify existing strengths and areas where greater preparedness may be needed.

This is not a test. The purpose is to help you understand where you are today so you can determine practical next steps.

HOW TO RESPOND

For each statement, select:

YES — We have this in place.
PARTIALLY — We have started, but more work is needed.
NO — We do not currently have this in place.
NOT SURE — I do not know.

SECTION 1 — FOOD SECURITY

  1. Our household or community has enough food available to manage at least three days without normal grocery access.

  2. We are working toward having enough familiar, usable food for one to two weeks.

  3. We know how to safely store and rotate emergency food supplies.

  4. Someone in our household or community has practical knowledge of growing food.

  5. We know where local farmers, community gardens, food organizations, or emergency food resources are located.

SECTION 2 — WATER READINESS

  1. We maintain an emergency supply of drinking water.

  2. We understand the difference between potable and non-potable water.

  3. We have considered how we would obtain or conserve water if normal service were interrupted.

  4. We understand basic options for water used for sanitation, cleaning, or gardening during an extended disruption.

SECTION 3 — POWER & ENERGY

  1. We know which household or facility systems are most important to maintain during a power outage.

  2. We have working flashlights, batteries, charging devices, or backup power options.

  3. If we use or plan to use a generator, we understand carbon-monoxide and safe-operation requirements.

  4. We have considered how loss of electricity would affect food, medicine, communication, heat, cooling, or medical equipment.

SECTION 4 — HOUSEHOLD & PERSONAL SAFETY

  1. We have functioning smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms.

  2. We have access to a first-aid kit and basic emergency supplies.

  3. Household members know how to safely respond to common emergencies and when to contact 911 or other emergency services.

  4. We have discussed what to do if remaining at home becomes unsafe and we need to shelter elsewhere or evacuate.

  5. We understand the importance of awareness, avoidance, de-escalation, sheltering, evacuation, and contacting appropriate authorities when personal safety is threatened.

SECTION 5 — HEALTH & MEDICAL READINESS

  1. We have a plan for obtaining or maintaining necessary medications and medical supplies during a disruption.

  2. Important medical information and emergency contacts are accessible.

  3. Someone within our household or immediate community has CPR, First Aid, healthcare, or related emergency skills.

  4. We have considered how older adults, people with disabilities, children, or others requiring additional assistance would be supported.

SECTION 6 — COMMUNICATION

  1. Household members know whom to contact during an emergency.

  2. We have identified at least one meeting location if normal communication is unavailable.

  3. We have considered how we would communicate if cellular or internet service were interrupted.

  4. Our neighborhood or organization has a reliable method for sharing verified information during an emergency.

SECTION 7 — COMMUNITY CONNECTION

  1. We know at least a few nearby households well enough to check on one another during a disruption.

  2. We know who in our community may have useful skills such as healthcare, construction, electrical work, food production, transportation, emergency management, or food preservation.

  3. We know which neighbors or community members may require additional assistance during an emergency.

  4. Our community has identified places or organizations that could potentially help coordinate food, water, transportation, information, or other resources.

SECTION 8 — AGRICULTURAL CAPACITY

  1. We have access to land, containers, raised beds, community gardens, or other space that could be used to produce food.

  2. Someone in our household or community understands basic planting, growing, harvesting, or soil management.

  3. We have knowledge of or access to food preservation methods such as freezing, drying, canning, or safe storage.

  4. We know farmers, growers, agricultural organizations, or other food-system resources that we could connect with for additional knowledge or support.

SECTION 9 — COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

  1. Our household, neighborhood, congregation, or organization has discussed what it would do during a significant emergency.

  2. We understand who might take responsibility for areas such as communication, safety, food and water, logistics, and wellness checks.

  3. We have considered how community resources could be coordinated without interfering with professional emergency responders.

  4. We have practiced, reviewed, or discussed our preparedness plan within the past year.