EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Emergency contacts are vital during all emergencies, and having them in hard copy ensures you’re never dependent on electronic devices. When needed, you can quickly reach family, emergency services, and utility companies by storing these numbers in your EMERGENCY NOTEBOOK. Additionally, this written list reduces stress and saves time during emergencies. It ensures communication with essential contacts, even during extended outages. Furthermore, keeping everything in one place will help you stay organized and ready for any unexpected situation. NOTE: This entire page was last edited on January 29, 2025.

We established the buddy system by preparing for disaster, focusing first on a grid power outage. Include your buddies and relevant contacts as you create your EMERGENCY CONTACT list. Moreover, add these contacts to your cell phone if texting remains possible during a power outage. Follow the LINK below to learn more about the BUDDY SYSTEM.

FIRST STEPS IN GRID OUTAGE PREPAREDNESS: CONTACT INFORMATION FOR FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD

Start your preparedness journey by following this checklist to gather contact details.

Personal Emergency ID Cards for Your Household

Creating Personal Emergency ID Cards for each household member is crucial to emergency preparedness. These cards should include essential information such as medical conditions, allergies, emergency contacts, and identification details. This information is invaluable when communication becomes difficult or impossible. Readily available data helps first responders provide the correct care in an emergency. It also ensures your loved ones get the attention they need. Additionally, these ID cards can help reunite separated family members during a crisis. Moreover, check out this LINK on this topic.

* VETERANS CRISIS LINE: CALL 1–800-273-8255; TEXT 838255

Checklist for each person in your household:

___ Full Name
___ Date of Birth (Include a birth certificate for each person in your documents.)
___ Address
___ Allergies
___ Birthmarks, tattoos, or piercings
___ Blood Type
___ Ethnicity
___ Eye Color
___ Gender
___ Hair Color
___ Height
___ Medical Information
___ Organ Donor Status
___ Phone/Cell Number
___ Social Security Number (Include an original or a copy in the disaster preparation notebook.)
___ Work Phone
___ Workplace (Include name and address)
___ Furthermore, be sure to date the Last Updated

Checklist for Documents: Keep the originals or a copy of the following in your Disaster Preparedness binder.

___ Back-up IDs:

___ student ID,

military, DD214, VA, etc.

___ Banking information – all accounts*

___ Birth Certificates

___ Car Insurance documents and registrations

___ Concealed carry license

___ Credit cards

___ Driver’s licenses

___ Employment records

___ Financial documents: at least one statement from all financial accounts with account #, phone #, address, etc.

___ Flashdrive with video of house and contents in all rooms, including valuables

___ Health insurance providers, medical cards, medical records, medical prescriptions, and glass prescriptions

___ Home Insurance Documents

___ Marriage license

___ Passports/Visas

___ Pets: Medical records including rabies (might be needed for boarding or shelters), chips, licenses

___ Power of Attorney

___ Schools

___ Social Security cards

___ Tax records

___ Titles, deeds, etc.

___ Valuables (Photos and certificates of worth)

___ Wills

* Keep Cash on Hand for Emergencies

Electronic banking systems may fail in a long-term power outage or an emergency evacuation. ATMs could be down, card transactions may not be processed, and banks may be temporarily closed. In such situations, having cash ensures you can purchase essential supplies, food, or fuel when digital transactions are unavailable.

🔹 What You Can Do: Store a reasonable amount of cash in small bills in a secure, accessible place alongside your emergency planning documents. Smaller denominations make paying for goods and services easier when businesses cannot provide change.

Why Experts Recommend Keeping Cash

FEMA advises keeping cash in your emergency kit because financial institutions may be offline during disasters. Their official guidance on financial preparedness recommends having enough cash to cover basic expenses for at least a few days.

The American Red Cross also highlights the importance of cash in disaster preparedness resources, noting that electronic payment systems may be down following a major event.

Source References:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommendations for disaster preparedness.
• American Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness Kit Recommendations for additional checklists for preparedness.

By preparing, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress and ensure you have the resources to care for yourself and your family when it matters most.

GRID OUTAGE: EMERGENCY CONTACTS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Additionally, store this information in a hard-covered notebook and keep it in a visible, accessible location near your home phone or office.

Checklist for friends and family:
___ Family members added
___ Neighbors’ contacts entered
___ Close friends’ details added

LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES: EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Next, gather contact information for local emergency services. These numbers will be your lifeline during a power grid outage, especially in cases involving fire, medical emergencies, or security issues. Include the 911 emergency number and direct lines for local fire, police, and utility services. These contacts are crucial for reporting outages, getting updates, and addressing emergencies that may arise.

Steps to complete:
___ Fire Department (911): For immediate response to fires or serious injuries
___ Police Department (911): For law enforcement assistance with security concerns
___ Sheriff & Public Safety: For non-emergency responses in rural areas
___ Power Company: Customer service number for outage reporting and updates
___ Water & Sewage Services: Report leaks, broken pipes, or service disruptions
___ Telephone Service Provider: Report downed phone lines or service interruptions
___ Animal Shelter: Helpful for emergencies involving lost pets or animal care
___ Medical Emergency Numbers: Include doctor’s office, hospitals, and urgent care centers
___ Additional Local Contacts: Add pharmacies, veterinarians, schools, or community centers

FINAL THOUGHTS: KEEP YOUR LIST UPDATED

Regularly updating this contact list is key to ensuring you’re prepared for any power outage. Having all these numbers in one place guarantees you can act quickly in emergencies and stay connected with critical services. Moreover, preparedness minimizes disruption and keeps your family safe during a grid outage.

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Emergency Contacts for Disaster Preparedness

In addition to a buddy system, it’s crucial to have immediate access to emergency response contacts for verified information and assistance. Below is a list of key national and local emergency resources.

National Emergency Resources (U.S.)

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency

• Disaster Assistance
• 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

American Red Cross – Emergency Response & Shelters

• Find Open Shelters: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
• 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767)

CDC: Emergency Health & Safety Information

• Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

National Weather Service – Alerts & Forecasts

• NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies

Disaster Distress Helpline (Mental Health Support)

• 1-800-985-5990 (24/7 crisis support)

Local Emergency Resources

New Mexico Emergency Management

• (505) 476-9600

Albuquerque Office of Emergency Management

• (505) 768-4227

New Mexico Road Conditions (DOT)

• 1-800-432-4269

Local Utility Company PNM

New Mexico Department of Health (Public Health Alerts & Shelters)

• 1-833-551-0518

• Power Outages & Updates: 1-888-DIAL-PNM (342-5766)

Local Police & Fire Department (Enter Your City’s Information Here)

• Police Non-Emergency: XXX-XXX-XXXX (ADD YOUR INFORMATION)
• Fire Department Non-Emergency: XXX-XXX-XXXX (ADD YOUR INFORMATION)

Hospitals & Urgent Care Near You (List the Nearest Locations)

• UNM Hospital – 505-272-2111
• Local Urgent Care: XXX-XXX-XXXX (ADD YOUR INFORMATION)
• Christus St. Vincent Hospital (ADD YOUR INFORMATION)
• Presbyterian Hospital (ADD YOUR INFORMATION)
• ADD INFORMATION ABOVE RELEVANT TO YOUR AREA

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in Your Area

• Website: https://www.ready.gov/cert
• Find a local CERT: Check with your city’s emergency management office

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How to Store These Emergency Contacts

• Print out a copy and keep it in your disaster kit.
• Revise local information to your location
• Save important numbers in your phone’s contacts list.
• Share this list with your buddy system partners and neighbors.