September is National Preparedness Month, which is always a good time to ask:
What would you do in the event of an emergency?
For events such as bad weather, natural disasters and terrorism, it’s important for individuals and their families to have a plan in place and to be prepared for the best and the worst. While many people arrange meeting locations or methods of communication with loved ones, transportation options in an emergency are an often forgotten element of preparedness plans.
If you are unable to drive home from work or your usual mode of transportation is unavailable, how would you get to your destination?
Having a backup commute plan can provide a little more certainty during a very stressful situation. Check out the resources below to learn about your nearby transportation options and to plan your backup commute.
You can also sign up for alerts from local agencies to keep you up to date on weather advisories, public safety incidents, closures, and traffic conditions.
Test your backup commute plan every few weeks so you are familiar with bus stop locations, Metro Stations, how to use Capital Bikeshare and where you can can walk. Car Free Day is on September 22 and is a great opportunity to leave your car at home and try out a different commute option. Take the pledge and pick your “team” for the day – you could win some great prizes!
If you’re looking for more information and materials to distribute to tenants, employees or residents, contact ATP today.
Editor's Note: This blog was updated September 2016.