How to get ready

How to get ready presentation (PDF: 2.5 MB)

The city is asking its residents and community members to get ready should severe weather or an emergency affect the city.

ReadyMinnetonka is a four-step program for businesses and residents in Minnetonka:

  1. Get informed and determine your risk
  2. Make a plan
  3. Assemble a kit to meet your needs
  4. Maintain your kit and your plan

Step One

Get informed and determine your risk

Potential risks and emergencies include:

  • Cyber incidents
  • Droughts
  • Extreme heat and cold
  • Fires
  • Flooding, including flash flooding
  • Influenza, including pandemics
  • Hazardous materials releases
  • Summer storms
  • Nuclear power plant events
  • Terrorism
  • Utility failures
  • Winter storms

Begin to understand how your surroundings and family situation shape your preparedness needs.

  • Do you have children?
  • Do you or any member of your family have medical condition(s) which require medications or equipment to maintain life?
  • Do you live near one of Minnetonka’s two railroad tracks?
  • Do you live in one of Minnetonka’s floodplains?
  • Do you live or work near one of the interstate highways, state highways, or county roads that go through the city?
  • Do you live near one of Minnetonka’s industrial/commercial areas?
  • Do you live in or near a wooded or grassy area?
  • Do you have pets?
  • Do all adults work outside the home or outside the city?
  • Do you have elderly or challenged neighbors?
  • Do you live in a high-rise?
  • Do you live in an apartment?

How many times did you answer “yes?” 3? 5? 7? More?

Congratulations!

You’ve completed the first step! You now know the 12 most likely emergencies and your specific risks. You can easily become better prepared for any event by following the rest of the four steps.

Step two

Make a plan

  • Meet with all household members to discuss the dangers of the emergencies. Explain how to respond to each.
  • Find a safe place to seek shelter in your home.
  • Teach everyone how and when to call 9-1-1.
  • Post 9-1-1 and other emergency numbers near each phone.
  • Show all competent family members how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at the main switch/valves when necessary.
  • Pick two emergency meeting places:
    1. A place near your home in case of a fire
    2. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after an emergency
  • Pick two contacts for family members to call in case of an emergency:
    1. One local relative or friend
    2. One out-of-area relative or friend

Step three

Make a family kit

Choose your level of preparedness:

  • A three-day kit
  • A five-day kit
  • A seven-day kit

Learn more about what you need for your kit on the Make a Family Kit page. Information is also available on how to make a kit for a business as well as other things you can do.

Step four

Maintain your plans and kits

  • Hold fire/evacuation drills at least every fall
  • Hold weather shelter drills at least every spring
  • Replace stored food and water every six months
  • Review your plans and kit every year
  • Change the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months
  • Change the battery in your carbon monoxide detector at least every fall
  • Change the battery in your NOAA all-hazards radio at least every spring
  • Change your plans and kit as your family needs change

For further information, please visit ready.gov. You can also email ready@eminnetonka.com or contact Jim Flanders, assistant emergency management directors, at 952.939.8334 or jflanders@eminnetonka.com