Family Emergency Plan - New South Memphis Bylaws
In New South Memphis, Tennessee, preparing a family emergency plan helps households comply with local public-safety expectations and respond faster during disasters. This guide explains what to include in a plan, how municipal departments engage with preparedness, enforcement considerations, and concrete steps to assemble and practice a plan tailored to New South Memphis conditions.
Preparing your family plan
Start by documenting household contacts, meeting points, evacuation routes, and accommodation options. Include plans for pets, medication, and documents: store copies in a waterproof bag and a secure cloud folder. Coordinate with neighbors and identify family members who can provide immediate help. For guidance on hazards common to Tennessee and statewide evacuation advice, consult the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency guidance [2].
Essential plan elements
- Designate two meeting places: one near your home and one outside the neighborhood.
- Compile an emergency contact list with phone numbers and out-of-area contacts.
- Prepare a records checklist: IDs, insurance, prescriptions, and deeds.
- Set aside emergency funds in cash and a reloadable card.
- Plan for accommodations: hotels, family homes, and community shelters.
Penalties & Enforcement
There is no specific municipal penalty schedule for household emergency plans published on the City of Memphis emergency-management pages; fine amounts and escalation for individual household noncompliance are not specified on the cited page [1]. Municipal enforcement typically addresses building, public-safety, and permitting obligations that affect community preparedness rather than penalizing private households for lacking a written family plan.
- Enforcer: City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management, Fire Services, or Code Enforcement as applicable; see local contact pages for reporting.
- Fines: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: not specified on the cited page; city practice may escalate continued hazards to civil enforcement or court action.
- Non-monetary sanctions: abatement orders, corrective notices, repair orders, or seizure of unsafe materials where public safety is endangered.
- Inspection and complaint pathway: file online or call the city’s complaint/reporting portal or emergency line; refer to official municipal contact pages.
- Appeals: review and appeal routes are handled through municipal administrative procedures or local courts; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.
- Common violations: blocking evacuation routes, unsafe storage of hazardous materials, and failure to comply with evacuation or shelter orders—penalties vary by ordinance and are not specified on the cited page.
Applications & Forms
No city form is required specifically to create a household family emergency plan; municipal pages provide guidance and links to community resources but do not publish a required household plan form on the cited pages.
Action steps
- Create and share your plan with household members and an out-of-area contact.
- Prepare an emergency kit with water, food, medicine, and documents for 72 hours.
- Practice evacuation and communication drills twice a year.
- Report hazardous conditions to city services promptly using official reporting channels.
FAQ
- Do I need to register a family emergency plan with the city?
- No, households are not required to register a family emergency plan with the City; municipal guidance is advisory and focused on community preparedness.
- Who enforces emergency orders in New South Memphis?
- The City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management, Fire Services, and relevant code-enforcement divisions coordinate emergency orders and public-safety enforcement.
- Where can I find official evacuation routes and shelter information?
- State and city emergency pages publish evacuation and shelter guidance; check official city and Tennessee Emergency Management resources for current information.
How-To
- List household members, roles, and emergency contacts.
- Gather critical documents and create paper and digital copies.
- Assemble a 72-hour kit for each household member including medications.
- Plan evacuation routes and two meeting points; map alternatives.
- Assign communication responsibilities and an out-of-area check-in contact.
- Practice your plan and update it annually or when circumstances change.
Key Takeaways
- A written family emergency plan increases household safety and speeds recovery.
- Municipal pages provide guidance but do not require formal registration of household plans.
- Report hazards and follow official evacuation orders to avoid enforcement actions.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Memphis Office of Emergency Management
- Shelby County Emergency Management
- Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)