EMERGENCY ACTION PLANNING > Blog > Finance > Money, Money, Money, Money, NPM 2019 Week One
Money, Money, Money, Money, NPM 2019 Week One
Week 1: September 1-7
Save Early for disaster costs.
Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK)
Emergencies come in many types, shapes, and sizes. We face more than just natural of man-made disasters and emergencies.
During week one of the national preparedness month September 1-7 is identified as saving early for disaster costs.
How Much Will It Cost?
Having the ability to feed, water, shelter, communicate, medicate and transport during a disaster requires a financial outlay.
How much it will cost you is dependent on the number of people that you are responsible for and the scope of your disaster planning.
Keep in mind one of two things will happen during emergencies or disasters.
1. You will need to evacuate.
2. You will shelter in place.
If you are sheltering in place your situation can become untenable, and you may need to evacuate to a safer location.
Cost and money are two things that are at the top of everyone’s mind.
During the 2018 emergency action planning workshop, I spent a total of $356 for food, water, paper goods, hardware, and one cat’s worth of supplies over a course of 9 weeks.
Quick Review: https://www.emergencyactionplanning.com/2018/05/29/emergency-food-and-water-update/
Make a plan and outline what you are going to do over a period of time to save money, time, and energy.
By spending your money wisely, you can secure all the equipment that you need, preventing you and your family from running around like chickens with your heads cut off trying to prepare at the last minute.
EFFAK
The emergency financial first aid kit or EFFAK presented by FEMA covers 4 categories.
Household identification
Financial and legal documentation
Medical information
and
Household contacts
The financial first aid information can be found in pages 12 through 19.
The remaining categories are a good outline of information and documentation that will be needed after a worst-case scenario.
Below is a link that you can use to access the EFFAK document.
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/96123
In closing:
Review your home, auto and health insurance periodically to make sure they provide the coverage you need.
Rotate your food, water and supplies regularly to keep them fresh and up-to-date.
Keep a low denomination cash stash, nothing bigger than a $20. $200 – $500 readily accessible.
You will be much happier purchasing your disaster supplies over a period of time, with a list and a plan of action.
Till next time
“Be Safe”