Defining an Emergency
An emergency can be something relatively common, such as a household fire, flooding, or even broken
pipes. A crisis can also be intermittent weather conditions or events, such as wildfires, earthquakes, flash
flooding, drought, tornados, or hurricanes. Lastly, emergencies can result from outside threats, such as
military, nuclear, biohazards, or toxic chemicals and gasses.
Association Responsibilities
Your board shouldn't wait until an emergency event occurs to prepare for any possible disaster. When
you make disaster preparedness a priority, you're communicating to your residents that their well-being
is important to the community. Below are some responsibilities your association should be prepared for
before, during, and after an emergency happens:
• Identify potential emergencies that could affect your community.
• Create a plan for those potential threats.
• Do all you can to prepare for those events.
• Create a plan to reduce potential damage and disruption.
• Calmly respond to emergency events that do occur.
• Implement reconstruction and repair plans for after an emergency.
• Communicate throughout the process.
• Follow up.
EMERGENCY BASICS
