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Preparedness is everyone's responsibility

While Arlington's professional public safety and emergency management staff are prepared for emergencies -- taking an "all-hazards" approach -- it's important that all of us be prepared to be on our own for at least 3 days. Emergencies can happen any time. When they do, it’s too late to plan a response. This page has basic information on these important areas:

• Be informed
• Make a plan
• Get involved

Be Informed

Receiving Arlington-specific information will be important during an emergency. 

• Arlington Alert provides real-time safety information and emergency alerts via e-mail, pager, mobile phones and smart phones. To sign up for this free service, visit www.arlingtonalert.com or text "1801" to 411911.
• 1700AM Arlington:  Arlington's emergency radio station
• Radio AM: 630, Metro region
• Radio FM: 88.5 WAMU/NPR; 103.5 WTOP, Metro region
• TV news channels: 4, 5, 7, 8, 9
• AVN - Arlington Virginia Network: Comcast Cable Channels 25 and 74/ Verizon FiOS Channels 39 and 40
• Arlington County Government website: www.arlingtonva.us
• Arlington County Government Information line: 703-228-3000; TTY 703-228-4611
• XM Satellite Radio: Channel 214
• Visit Ready America's "Be Informed" webpage

Make a Plan

Making a family disaster plan involves discussing what your family will do during an actual emergency.

• Decide on a meeting place in the event your home is inaccessible.
• Designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a point of contact.
• Plan for the specific needs of your household, such as transportation of medical equipment.
• Prepare an emergency kit -- including essential items to last at least three days:
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Non-perishable food and a can opener
  • Water
  • Flashlights
  • First aid kit and medications
  • Pet supplies

Not sure how to get started on making your plan? Here are some handy tools:

• For a handy planning guide, visit www.makeaplan.org or contact Arlington OEM at 703-228-3314
• Get tips from the Arlington County Office of Emergency Management at 703-228-3314
• Video - Ready Virginia: Family Meeting Place (30 sec. )
• How to create a Personal Response Plan
• Emergency preparedness tips from Ready Virginia
• Find out what's happening in Virginia: www.vaemergency.com
• Visit Ready America's "Make a Plan" webpage

Get Involved in Emergency Preparedness

You can help with the County’s emergency preparedness and assist should a disaster hit Arlington.

• Become a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) member. Find Out About CERT,
• Join the Medical Reserve Corps
• Become a Volunteer Emergency Support Team (VEST) member
• Use Arlington's non-emergency number 703-558-2222 to request routine police and fire assistance. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies only.

More Resources

Arlington's public safety professionals help protect lives and property through quick response to fire and crime reports; safety and emergency preparedness programs; crime prevention services; and the  Arlington Alert system.

Emergency Preparedness Guides & Kits

• Arlington Prepares Emergency Guide (English, pdf)
• Arlington se Prepara Guía Sobre Emergencias (en Español, pdf)
• For Large Print or Braille copies contact: Anna Maynard, 703-228-7096, amaynard (at) arlingtonva.us

Emergency Preparedness Guide for Homeowners, Red Cross Personal Workplace Disaster Supplies Kit, Respond in Your Neighborhood & Business, What Does "Shelter In Place" Mean?, Your Guide to Emergency Preparedness, Arlington Public Schools

Fire Department

Alarm Information & Tips, Carbon Monoxide Info, CPR training, Escape Plans, Find Your Fire Station

Office of Emergency Management (OEM)

About Arlington's OEM, Disaster Education, Disaster Response

Police Department 

Chief of Police, Crime Prevention Tips, Gang Prevention, Police Districts, Police Services

Ready Fact Sheets from U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Ready Campaign Fact Sheet, Ready Kids Fact Sheet, Ready Pets Fact Sheet, Ready Seniors and People with Disabilities Fact Sheet, Listo Campaign Fact Sheet, School Preparedness Fact Sheet, National Preparedness Month Fact Sheet, More Ready Fact Sheets and Updates 

Severe Weather

Winter Weather

Volunteer Opportunities

Citizen Corps Council, Citizens Police Academy, Community-Based Policing, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps, RACES, Respond Throughout the County, Volunteer Emergency Support Team (VEST)