Preparedness Terms Explained
Emergency Preparedness Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terms that come up in emergency preparedness — no jargon, no assumptions.
78 terms, alphabetically ordered.
72-Hour Kit
A collection of supplies to sustain your household for 72 hours without relying on stores, utilities, or emergency services. FEMA and Ready.gov recommend this as the baseline minimum for household preparedness.
Related guide →Bug-Out Bag (BOB)
A backpack packed with emergency supplies designed to be grabbed quickly during an evacuation. Also called a go-bag. Contains food, water, first aid, documents, and communication tools for 72 hours.
Related guide →Get Home Bag (GHB)
A lighter, more focused bag designed to help you get from wherever you are (work, school, another location) back to your home or meeting point when transportation fails. Typically lighter than a bug-out bag.
Related guide →Go-Bag
Informal term for a bug-out bag or any bag packed in advance for quick evacuation. See also: Bug-Out Bag.
Related guide →Shelter in Place
A protective action that means staying where you are and taking specific steps rather than evacuating. The appropriate actions depend on the type of emergency — weather, chemical hazard, or security situation.
Related guide →Evacuation Route
A pre-planned path from your home or location to a safer destination. Emergency planners recommend having at least two evacuation routes in case one is blocked.
Related guide →Evacuation Zone
Pre-mapped areas designated by local emergency management that determine who should evacuate and in what order. Zone A typically leaves first. Find your zone on your local emergency management website.
Related guide →Emergency Radio
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio that receives NOAA weather alerts and emergency broadcasts. Works independently of the internet and cell networks, making it valuable during power outages and infrastructure failures.
Related guide →NOAA Weather Radio
A nationwide network operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that broadcasts weather alerts, warnings, and emergency information 24/7. Receivable on battery-powered radios.
Related guide →SAME Alert
Specific Area Message Encoding — a feature on weather radios that lets you program the radio to only alert for emergencies in your specific county, reducing unnecessary alerts.
Related guide →Water Purification
The process of making water safe to drink by killing or removing pathogens. Methods include boiling, chemical treatment (tablets), and UV treatment. Addresses bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
Related guide →Water Filtration
The process of removing contaminants from water by passing it through a physical filter medium. Portable squeeze filters like the Sawyer remove bacteria and protozoa but typically not viruses.
Related guide →Boil Water Notice
An official advisory from a water utility indicating that tap water may be unsafe without treatment. During a notice, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before drinking, brushing teeth, or food preparation.
Related guide →AQI (Air Quality Index)
A standardized measure of air quality, particularly relevant during wildfire events. AQI above 150 is unhealthy for everyone; above 200 is very unhealthy and warrants staying indoors.
Related guide →Emergency Contact Card
A physical card carried by each household member listing emergency contacts, meeting points, and the out-of-area contact. Critical when phones are lost, broken, or dead.
Related guide →Out-of-Area Contact
A person who lives outside your region who all household members know to contact during an emergency. Acts as a communication relay when local calls fail but long-distance works.
Related guide →Family Reunification Plan
A pre-agreed plan for how family members will find each other if separated during a disaster — including two meeting points, school pickup protocols, and the out-of-area contact.
Related guide →Meeting Point
A specific, pre-agreed location where household members gather if separated during an emergency. Two meeting points are recommended: one near home, one further away.
Related guide →Backup Power
Any system that provides electricity when the primary grid power is unavailable. Options range from portable power banks (for phones) to whole-home battery systems or generators.
Related guide →Portable Power Bank
A rechargeable battery device used to charge phones and small devices without a wall outlet. 10,000 mAh is a useful minimum capacity for emergency use.
Related guide →Portable Power Station
A larger rechargeable battery system capable of powering multiple devices including some appliances. More expensive but more capable than a standard power bank.
Related guide →Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A colorless, odorless gas produced by combustion equipment (generators, grills, camp stoves, vehicles). Lethal at elevated concentrations. Never use combustion equipment indoors. Install CO detectors on every level of your home.
Related guide →CO Detector
A carbon monoxide detector that alerts when CO levels become dangerous. Required in most building codes. Essential for homes with gas appliances, fireplaces, or generators.
Related guide →Sanitation Kit
A collection of hygiene and waste management supplies for use during emergencies when running water is unavailable. May include hand sanitizer, waste bags, a portable toilet, and basic hygiene supplies.
Related guide →Portable Water Filter
A compact filtration device for emergency water purification. Models like the Sawyer Squeeze weigh a few ounces and can filter tens of thousands of gallons from fresh water sources.
Related guide →Emergency Cash
Cash kept in small bills for emergency use when card readers and ATMs are unavailable. Recommended minimum is $100–200; larger amounts may be appropriate depending on your situation.
Related guide →Important Documents Folder
A waterproof container holding copies of critical documents: IDs, insurance cards, emergency contacts, prescriptions, and legal documents. Kept with your emergency kit.
Related guide →Shelf Life
How long a food or supply item remains safe and usable under proper storage conditions. Relevant to emergency supply rotation planning.
Related guide →FIFO (First In, First Out)
The food rotation principle where older items are used first and newer items are stored in the back. Prevents food expiration and waste in an emergency food supply.
Related guide →Mylar Emergency Blanket
A thin, reflective sheet that retains body heat by reflecting infrared radiation. Effective at preventing heat loss. Also called a space blanket. Pack two per person in a go-bag.
Related guide →Water Purification Tablets
Chemical tablets (iodine or chlorine dioxide) that kill bacteria, protozoa, and viruses in water. Lightweight emergency backup for water purification. Taste may be affected.
Related guide →Evacuation Order
An official directive from emergency management, law enforcement, or fire authorities to leave a designated area. Mandatory orders mean leave immediately; voluntary orders mean leaving is strongly advised.
Related guide →Voluntary Evacuation
An advisory that residents in an area should evacuate, though not legally required. Leaving during a voluntary order is strongly recommended, especially for households with mobility challenges or pets.
Related guide →Mandatory Evacuation
A legally enforceable order to leave a designated area immediately. Not complying can result in being stranded without emergency assistance.
Related guide →Shelter
A physical location offering protection during an emergency — either your own home (shelter in place) or a designated emergency facility (public shelter, hotel, community center).
Related guide →Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
A FEMA program that trains community volunteers in basic disaster response skills. CERT teams can assist professional responders during major events.
Official site →Emergency Management Agency
The government organization responsible for coordinating emergency response. FEMA at the federal level; state and county emergency management agencies at local levels.
Official site →Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)
Text-message-style alerts pushed to mobile phones from emergency management agencies. Includes Amber Alerts, Presidential Alerts, and Imminent Threat Alerts. Received without signup on most phones.
Related guide →Flash Flood
A rapid and sudden rise in water level in a stream, river, or land area. Flash floods are among the most dangerous weather-related events and can occur with very little warning.
Related guide →Flood Zone
A FEMA-designated area classified by its risk of flooding. Zone A and AE areas carry the highest risk. Check your flood zone at msc.fema.gov.
Related guide →Tornado Watch
Issued by the National Weather Service when conditions are favorable for tornado development. Be ready to take shelter quickly.
Related guide →Tornado Warning
Issued when a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar. Take shelter immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
Related guide →Heat Index
The 'feels like' temperature that accounts for humidity's effect on the body's ability to cool itself through sweat. Used in heat advisory and warning thresholds.
Related guide →Heat Stroke
A life-threatening emergency where the body's temperature regulation fails. Symptoms include hot/dry skin, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately.
Related guide →Hypothermia
A dangerous drop in core body temperature below 95°F. Caused by cold exposure, especially when wet. Early symptoms: intense shivering, confusion, slurred speech.
Related guide →Power Outage
A loss of electricity supply to an area, ranging from minutes to days. Most common emergency experienced by US households.
Related guide →Rolling Blackout
A controlled, temporary power outage implemented by a utility to reduce load on the grid. Often announced in advance with a schedule.
Related guide →Transfer Switch
An electrical device that safely connects a generator to your home's wiring system without creating backfeed that could endanger utility workers. Required for safe whole-home generator integration. Installation requires a licensed electrician.
Related guide →Earthquake Retrofit
Structural reinforcements to a home to improve its resistance to earthquake damage — typically involving bolting the structure to its foundation and adding bracing. Requires professional assessment.
Related guide →Drop, Cover, Hold On
The recommended protective action during earthquake shaking: drop to hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy desk or table (or against an interior wall if no shelter available), and hold on until shaking stops.
Related guide →Aftershock
An earthquake that follows the main earthquake. Can be significant in magnitude. Buildings weakened by the main event are more vulnerable to damage from aftershocks.
Related guide →Surge Protector
A device that protects electronics from power surge damage. Important for appliances when power returns after an outage.
Related guide →Food Grade Container
A container made from materials safe for storing food and water for human consumption. Typically HDPE plastic (#2) or food-safe glass. Required for water storage.
Related guide →Sawyer Squeeze
A popular portable water filter for emergency kits. Filters up to 100,000 gallons of water from fresh sources, removing bacteria and protozoa. Weighs about 3 ounces.
Related guide →LifeStraw
A personal water filter in a straw-like form. Simple and effective for individual use; filters out bacteria and protozoa.
Related guide →Gravity Filter
A water filtration system where water drips through a filter element under gravity. No pumping required. Slower than squeeze filters but useful for filtering larger volumes at home.
Related guide →UV Water Purifier
A device using ultraviolet light to kill pathogens in water. Effective against bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Requires clear water and battery power.
Related guide →Paracord
A lightweight, high-strength rope originally used in parachutes. Popular in emergency kits for its versatility — securing shelter, repairs, carrying loads. 550 paracord is the most common type.
Related guide →Multi-Tool
A pocket-sized tool combining multiple functions — pliers, blade, screwdrivers, scissors, etc. Valuable in emergency kits for its versatility and compact size.
Related guide →Mole Skin
A padded material used to prevent and treat blisters. Essential in bug-out bags and get-home bags where unexpected walking is likely.
Related guide →MRE (Meal Ready to Eat)
Military-style self-contained food rations with a long shelf life. Available commercially. Include heating element and full meals. Bulkier and more expensive than other emergency food options.
Related guide →Freeze-Dried Food
Food with nearly all moisture removed through a vacuum freezing process. Very long shelf life (25+ years) but requires water to rehydrate and prepare. Popular in preparedness circles but expensive.
Related guide →Calorie Density
Calories per gram or per ounce of food. High-calorie-density foods (nut butters, jerky, nuts) are ideal for emergency kits where weight and space are limited.
Related guide →Emergency Binder
A physical binder or folder containing all critical household documents, emergency contacts, account information, and plans in one organized, accessible location.
Related guide →FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency — the US federal agency responsible for coordinating disaster response. Their resources at fema.gov and ready.gov are primary references for household preparedness.
Official site →Ready.gov
The official US government website for emergency preparedness information, maintained by FEMA. A primary reference source for household preparedness guidance.
Official site →CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — a primary reference for health-related emergency guidance including water safety, food safety, and disease prevention during disasters.
Official site →Red Cross
The American Red Cross — provides emergency response assistance, shelter, and preparedness training. Their resources are a primary reference for first aid and emergency planning.
Official site →Backfeed
When power flows from a generator into utility lines during an outage, creating danger for utility workers. Prevented by properly installed transfer switches. Never connect a generator directly to household wiring without a transfer switch.
Related guide →Utility Shutoff
The procedure to stop the flow of gas, water, or electricity at its main shutoff point. Each utility has a specific shutoff location and procedure. Know yours and have the appropriate tools accessible.
Related guide →Tourniquets
A tight wrap applied to a limb to stop severe bleeding. More relevant for trauma situations than most household emergencies. Requires proper training — improper use can cause serious harm. Consult a first aid course for proper training.
Related guide →Pet Carrier
A secure container for transporting a cat, small dog, or other small pet. Required at most emergency shelters that accept pets. Familiarize your pet with the carrier before an emergency.
Related guide →Emergency Prescription Buffer
A small supply of prescription medication beyond your current monthly supply, maintained for emergency continuity. Discuss with your healthcare provider and insurer how to set this up.
Related guide →Winter Storm Watch
Issued when hazardous winter weather conditions are possible, typically within 48 hours.
Related guide →Winter Storm Warning
Issued when hazardous winter weather conditions (heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain) are expected within 24–36 hours.
Related guide →N95 Mask
A filtering facepiece respirator that blocks at least 95% of airborne particles, including wildfire smoke particulates. Must be properly fitted and worn correctly to be effective. Consult CDC guidance on proper use during smoke events.
Related guide →