If you’ve been following along with Bainbridge Prepares ‘Prepare in a Year’ program or this column, then you’re ready to survive at home when disaster strikes. But today, we’re going to talk about what to do when you have to leave or when you’re away and need to get back home.

At the start of an earthquake, powerful windstorm, wildfire, or tsunami, you might not be at home. You might be at work, at school, on a trip, or even just across the bridge or Sound. You and your family members may be in several different places. What happens then?

Alternatively, you might be at home but be directed by officials to evacuate? How quickly will you be able to gather what you need and leave your home?

When you need to evacuate

The most likely scenario requiring evacuation is wildfire. If a wildfire breaks out on the island, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department might issue a Nixle alert for evacuation according to residential fire zone (there are 12 zones on the island—see https://bainbridgeprepares.org/wildfire). A Level 1 Ready notice tells you to start preparing. A Level 2 Set notice means to be ready to leave suddenly. A Level 3 Go notice means evacuate immediately.

For this scenario, make sure everyone in your household has their own go bag already prepared with the following items: food, water, flashlight, extra batteries, light sticks, whistle, toiletries and wet wipes, s set of extra clothes, and hat and gloves.

An additional shared go bag should contain the following: important documents (or ensure you have online access to them), radio (battery/crank/solar), first aid kit, multipurpose tool and knife, garbage/plastic bag, cell phone chargers and cords, backup prescriptions of your medications, pet items (food, water, leashes, harnesses, waste bags, medications), duct tape, and items you need for children and other household members (diapers, games, toys, extra glasses)

Having these items always packed and ready to go means that you can focus on other concerns when the first evacuation alert is issued, like turning off propane tanks, checking on neighbors, and loading pets into vehicles.

When you’re away

Imagine that you’re in Seattle or Poulsbo when a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hits. The earthquake and ensuing tsunami will toss lots of debris in the water, so the Coast Guard will immediately ground all vessels. The bridge will be closed.

Ideally, you will be able to make your way to the still-intact home of a friend to stay for a few days. But there’s no guarantee of anything. So you need to have some key supplies with you.

Keep these items in your get-home bag or commuter bag: water, protein snacks or granola bars, small first aid kit, emergency blanket, small flashlight, surgical mask/KN95/N95, antibacterial hand sanitizer, disposable wipes, and phone charger and cords.

They will help you stay more or less comfortable until emergency shelters open or until vessels start ferrying people across the water.

Children should have these additional items stored at school or kept in their backpacks: family reunification card (with contact info) and family photo to help with reunification, comfort item (small stuffed animal or toy), and family photo.

Vehicle bag

Because you might be driving when disaster hits, also keep a bag in your vehicle. Include the following items: small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain, road flare, waterproof blanket, matches in a waterproof container, seasonal equipment (water, hand warmers, more blankets, tire chains), and extra keys.

This equipment will help you seek shelter in your vehicle for a day or two or get out of difficult situations.

Sarah Lane is the community outreach team lead for Bainbridge Prepares, which has a monthly column in this newspaper.