A calendar is an often-overlooked tool in preparedness. Whether you use a wall calendar, a pocket diary, a web-based calendar or a smart phone, you have the opportunity to prepare for greatness throughout the year.
The beginning of the year is a great time to plan for preparedness. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Copy recurring items from last year’s calendar. Include annual preparedness conferences, monthly emergency manager’s meetings, and any events where you share your preparedness efforts.
- Create reminders to keep your supplies updated, batteries charged, food, water and medication fresh, and photos and information current. Changing to or from Daylight Saving Time are good times to schedule. You may have other important annual dates that make sense for you, too.
- Set dates now for renewals of important classes: staff preparedness, First Aid, CPR, fire suppression, etc.
- Revisit your MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding), and otherwise ensure that your written relationships and agreements are still strong and valid — before you need them.
Think about the things you never found time for this year – and look for ways to take control in the future!
- When planning ahead, consider who else needs to know about this event and make sure it gets on their calendar as well.
- Don’t forget preparedness planning for your family, community of faith, neighborhood, school or other groups you belong to.
- Determine how much lead time you need to gather critical supplies, remind partners or book resources and put an appropriately timed reminder in your calendar.
Using your calendar as a preparedness tool isn’t limited to January, either. Any time you create the space to plan ahead, you are planning for brilliance!
