emergency readiness, a state of having made advance plans for coping with an unexpected natural disaster, civil disturbance, or military attack that may threaten death and injury to a local population. The planning includes educating the population about location of shutoff valves for utilities and about first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation; ensuring that adequate sources of food, water, basic medical supplies, and bedding materials will be available; arranging for the disposal of human wastes when toilets are not functional; and establishing procedures for emergency care of the elderly, infants, small children, and women who may be pregnant. Plans for communication systems are also a part of emergency readiness.
