Emergency Alert Templates

Use these templates for immediate alerts. Adapt to your situation.


1. EVACUATION ORDER

Template A: Immediate Evacuation

EVACUATION ORDER

AREA: [specific streets/neighborhoods]
REASON: [fire/flood/hazmat/etc]
LEAVE: Now
GO TO: [specific address or shelter name]
ROUTE: [specific roads to take]
BRING: ID, medications, phone charger

DO NOT:
- Return home
- Use elevators
- Wait for others

HELP LINE: [phone number]
TTY: [TTY number if available]

Message ID: [unique ID]
Time: [timestamp]

Template B: Phased Evacuation

EVACUATION NOTICE - PHASE [1/2/3]

WHO: [Zone A / People in wheelchairs / etc]
WHEN: Leave by [specific time]
WHERE TO GO: [shelter address]
TRANSPORT: [available/call this number]

IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE:
Call: [emergency number]
Stay on highest floor
Close all doors and windows

NEXT UPDATE: [time]

Message ID: [unique ID]

2. SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Template: Shelter-in-Place

SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDER

AREA: [specific area]
REASON: [hazmat/active threat/severe weather]
DURATION: [estimated time]

ACTIONS:
1. Go inside now
2. Close all doors and windows
3. Turn off ventilation/AC
4. Go to interior room
5. Seal gaps with wet towels

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE:
- Find nearest building
- Enter immediately
- Follow instructions above

DO NOT:
- Leave building
- Open windows
- Use ventilation

INFORMATION: [phone/website]
TTY: [number]

ALL-CLEAR: Listen for "ALL CLEAR" message

Message ID: [unique ID]
Time: [timestamp]

3. MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Template: Disease Outbreak

PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT

WHAT: [disease name]
AREA: [affected area]
RISK: [high/medium/low]

SYMPTOMS:
- [symptom 1]
- [symptom 2]
- [symptom 3]

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS:
1. Stay home
2. Call: [health line number]
3. Do not go to hospital (yet)
4. Isolate from others

PREVENTION:
- [wash hands/wear mask/etc]
- [avoid crowds]
- [stay home if sick]

TESTING: [where and when]
TREATMENT: [where available]

HELP LINE: [number]
TTY: [number]
WEBSITE: [url]

Message ID: [unique ID]

4. WEATHER EMERGENCY

Template: Severe Weather

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING

TYPE: [tornado/hurricane/blizzard/etc]
AREA: [specific area]
WHEN: [start time] to [end time]
DANGER: [specific hazards]

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. [specific action]
2. [specific action]
3. [specific action]

SAFE LOCATIONS:
- [location 1]
- [location 2]
- [location 3]

AVOID:
- [hazard 1]
- [hazard 2]

POWER OUTAGE: Possible
ROAD CLOSURES: [list roads]

UPDATES: Every [X] hours
INFORMATION: [phone/radio station]

Message ID: [unique ID]

5. INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE

Template: Water/Power Emergency

[WATER/POWER] EMERGENCY

AREA: [affected area]
PROBLEM: [contamination/outage/etc]
STARTED: [time]
EXPECTED FIX: [time/unknown]

DO NOT:
- [specific prohibition]

SAFE TO:
- [what is still safe]

ALTERNATIVE:
- [where to get water/power/etc]
- [locations open]
- [hours available]

PRIORITY HELP:
People who need power for medical devices:
Call: [emergency number]

UPDATES: [where/when]
HELP LINE: [number]
TTY: [number]

Message ID: [unique ID]

6. ALL-CLEAR MESSAGE

Template: Emergency Ended

ALL CLEAR - EMERGENCY ENDED

WHAT: [type of emergency]
STATUS: Safe to return/resume normal activities
TIME: [current time]

YOU CAN NOW:
- Return home
- Leave shelter
- Resume normal activities
- Open windows (if shelter-in-place)

REMAINING HAZARDS:
- [list any]
- [continuing restrictions]

RECOVERY RESOURCES:
- [where to get help]
- [damage reporting]
- [financial assistance]

DAMAGED AREAS: [list]
ROAD CLOSURES: [list]

HELP LINE: [number]
TTY: [number]

NEXT UPDATE: [when/if needed]

Message ID: [unique ID]

Essential Checklist

Every alert must include:

Accessibility Requirements

For Screen Readers

For Cognitive Disabilities

For Deaf/Hard of Hearing

For Blind/Low Vision

For Multiple Languages

Distribution Channels

Send every alert via:

  1. SMS/text message
  2. Email
  3. Website
  4. Social media
  5. Local radio
  6. Local TV
  7. Phone calls (automated)
  8. Door-to-door (when safe)
  9. Community leaders
  10. Emergency services

Remember: Simple, specific, repeated. Lives depend on clarity.

Back to Home