Ready in 5 · Lesson 5 of 6 · About 5 minutes
Evacuation
Say it: i-vak-you-AY-shun
Evacuation means moving people away from danger to somewhere safe. Source: Britannica Kids (opens in a new tab)
Go at your own pace. You can do this lesson alone or with a support person. Read each question, think about your answer, then press Show the answer.
Step 1: Identify the alert
How do you know there is an evacuation?
Think about your answer first. Then check it.
Show the answer
A police officer or firefighter comes to your door and tells you.
Step 2: Stay or go
Do you stay where you are, or leave?
Think about your answer first. Then check it.
Show the answer
Go. Leave right away, but don't run. Stay calm and say, “Okay, I understand that I need to leave right now.”
Step 3: Call 911 or not
Do you call 911?
Think about your answer first. Then check it.
Show the answer
No. 911 already knows there is an emergency.
Step 4: Stay calm
You know what to do. Let's take a minute to calm down.
- Take a deep breath in.
- Slowly let it out.
- Try it one more time: breathe in, then slowly breathe out.
Step 5: Take action: Coat, shoes, Go-Bag
Practice these three steps. Say them out loud, then act them out.
- 1st
COAT!
Put on your coat.
- 2nd
SHOES!
Put on your shoes.
- 3rd
GO-BAG!
Grab your Go-Bag and go.
Be ready to go
- Keep your coat, shoes, and Go-Bag near the door.
- Check your Go-Bag twice a year. See the Go-Bag check lesson.
- Don't have a Go-Bag? Sammy's Place gives them out for free. Ask for a free Go-Bag (opens in a new tab).
Your evacuation drill card
Print this card and keep it in your wallet, on a lanyard, or by the door. The pictures show the three steps.
Finished the lesson?
Mark it done to keep track on the training page. This is saved only on this device.
Learn more
- Ready.gov: Evacuation (opens in a new tab)How to plan where to go and how to get there.
- Project Wildfire: Preparing your children for evacuation (opens in a new tab)
- Ready Now! Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit (opens in a new tab)From the OHSU University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.