I asked Chat GPT to create an emergency plan for my family, here’s what I got

Can AI help create a personalized emergency plan?

Like many people, I have been hearing a lot about ChatGPT and I wanted to see if I could use it to create an emergency plan, tell me what I should include in my family’s kit, and what to do if there was a disaster in my city. While AI was able to get me started, it’s important to rely on trustworthy organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, when preparing for a disaster or emergency.




I asked to create an emergency plan for my family – including two adults, one toddler, and a cat. Here is what I got:

• Emergency Supplies: Put together an emergency supply kit and store it in an easy to access location. Include items such as a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food items, flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-operated radio and an emergency contact list.
• Emergency Plan: Create a family emergency plan and discuss it with each family member. Make sure everyone knows who to contact in case of an emergency, where to meet if separated, and how to stay in contact during the emergency.
• Evacuation Plan: Identify a safe place to go in case of an emergency evacuation. Make sure the location is accessible for everyone in the family, including the toddler and cat.
• Emergency Contacts: Create a list of emergency contacts, including family, friends, and local emergency services. Make sure everyone has access to the contact list.
• Emergency Alerts: Sign up for emergency alerts from the city of Toronto. This will provide up to date information on potential emergencies in the area.
• Fire Safety: Make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. Practice fire drills to ensure everyone knows how to evacuate safely.

I actually think this is a great start! I really like the point about making sure the location for an evacuation will be safe for my son and cat. After seeing what ChatGPT came up with here, I feel like I can go in and tinker with the plan to make it perfect for our specific circumstances.

Next, I asked what I should pack in an emergency kit for my family. I was a little less jazzed about this list than the plan because I felt like there were a few key things missing, such as medications and copies of important paperwork.

• Flashlight
• Batteries
• First aid kit
• Non-perishable food
• Bottled water
• Blankets
• Pet food and water bowls
• Extra pet supplies (litter, collar, leash, etc.)
• Diapers and wipes
• Extra clothes for everyone
• Manual can opener
• Whistle
• Personal hygiene supplies
• Multi-purpose tool
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches
• Local maps
• Battery-powered radio
• Emergency contact list
• Cash

My final query was simply what should I do if there were a disaster in my city, and again I got some pretty good advice:

• Stay informed: Follow news reports, social media, and official government websites for the latest information on the disaster.
• Follow emergency instructions: Follow instructions from first responders and evacuate if necessary.
• Check in with family and friends: Make sure everyone is safe and accounted for.
• Prepare for post-disaster: Research any available aid options and make sure to have a plan for the aftermath of the disaster.
• Donate to relief efforts: Donate money or supplies to organizations working to help those affected by the disaster.

So, how did AI do? It put together the start of a really great personalized plan for my family and I feel like we can build off this really easily, created a great start to an emergency kit, and gave good tips for what to do during a disaster. I did find that it generated fairly generic tips, and the more specific my queries got (such as type of disaster or more specifics about my family) didn’t do much to change the information I got – so I guess some stuff does still have to be done the old-fashioned way. It’s also important to note that AI is new, and not necessarily providing trusted information. But if ChatGPT means more folks have an emergency plan for their family Im all for it!

Looking to create an emergency plan without AI? Here are some resources to get started:
Be Ready: Emergency Preparedness and Recovery
Disaster prep on a budget