CaliforniaVolunteers' WE Prepare program helping one family at a time to prepare for a disaster

Earthquake. Fire. Flood. Are you and your family ready to survive for at least 72 hours if one of these disasters struck your home?

Statistics show that less than half of Californians are prepared for an emergency, whether it be a house fire or an area flood.

Astonishing isn't it?

Recognizing the need to spread the word and help families prepare for disasters, CaliforniaVolunteers started the WE Prepare program.

The WE Prepare program is endorsed by California's First Lady, Maria Shriver. With the help of a federal grant from the Office of Homeland Security, CaliforniaVolunteers is reaching out to encourage moms to go online, identify their risk, develop a family disaster plan, practice their plan and prepare their children for disaster.

As much as I don't want to admit it, before my interaction with CaliforniaVolunteers, my family was not prepared for an emergency to the extent we should be. Chances are, you are in the same place.

If your family does not already have a plan in place at your home and answer "no" to any of these sample risk questions, I encourage you to complete a customized family plan:

• Have you identified a family meeting place? 
• Have you practiced what to do at home in the event of a disaster? 
• Have you duplicated important documents (e.g. insurance documents, birth certificates, deed to your home)?

You can also choose to download a customizable children's book to aide you in relaying the important message of disaster relief preparation to your children.

If you would like a headstart in gathering items to fulfill your disaster supply checklist, please click here to participate in a disaster relief kit giveaway. The backpack includes a flashlight, whistle, emergency blanket, glow stick, bandages and enough food and water to last one person for three days.

CaliforniaVolunteers is the lead oversight agency for the California Citizen Corps Program, which was created post 9/11 to coordinate volunteer activities to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to any emergency. They also ensure the coordination of volunteer activities related to disaster response and recovery, including necessary training, equipment, and transportation provisions. CaliforniaVolunteers also manages donations to the state for disaster relief.