Emergency Preparedness Guides An emergency can occur quickly and without warning. The most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your family safe from an emergency is to prepare, stay calm, and follow instructions from emergency personnel. The following guides were developed to help keep you prepared in the event of an emergency. Select the title to learn more:       Family Preparedness Guide* Emergency Guide for DC Kids* It's a Disaster! (A Disaster Prepardness, Prevention and  First Aid Manual)* Hurricane Preparedness Guide*  Large organizations should develop more comprehensive emergency plans; see Emergency Management Planning for more information. Be informed about the 18 Major Hazards most common in the District of Columbia.