In case of an emergency, Bill and Connie Gaither are prepared.

The Rapid City couple has a 72-hour emergency kit packed at all times. The kit contains essentials such as water, food, first-aid items and blankets for the entire family.

The family's camp trailer sits in the yard with tents, sleeping bags and other camping items as well. "Our plan for our family is if we ever had to leave; we would just hook our trailer up to our van and go," Connie said.

In their home, the Gaithers also keep a three-month supply of food in case of an emergency that would disrupt the food supply.

Whether it's a biological terrorist attack or a major blizzard, the bReadySD campaign wants South Dakotans to be more like the Gaithers when it comes to emergency preparedness.

Coordinated by the South Dakota Department of Health and the Office of Emergency Management, bReadySD has launched a Web site and public service campaign promoting emergency preparedness.

Bill Chalcraft of the Department of Health believes that South Dakotans are relatively prepared for emergencies.

"We're fortunate here in South Dakota. We have the blizzard experiences to draw on and most people have a pretty good supply of food and water … in their homes," he said.

Still, there are plenty of emergencies that South Dakotans aren't prepared for, such as terrorist attacks or an influenza pandemic. And many people dismiss the possibility of such emergencies.

"I think people generally get comfortable or complacent. … They don't think it's going to happen to them," Chalcraft said. "That's the wrong attitude."

For that reason, Chalcraft believes it's important for families to sit down and map out a plan in case of any emergency.

When families have young children, the first thing to find out is what the children's school will do in case of emergency. "What is their plan?" he said. "Are they going to lock down and keep the kids there?"

Once the families know what the school or day-care policy is, they can develop their response around those plans.

Families should have a meeting place in case they cannot reach one another by telephone. Children should know where to gather. Families should designate one spot close to home and another place "across town" in case the first meeting place is off limits.

Chalcraft also recommends having an out-of-state contact person that every family member can call. In emergency situations, phone lines within the state often will be overwhelmed. Lines going out of state, however, are often wide open, Chalcraft said.

Kristi Turman of the Office of Emergency Management said families also need to prepare a kit, much like the Gaithers have done. Kits should include such things as extra clothes, important papers, water and flashlights. (See list.)

"You have to be prepared to take care of yourself for a period of days," she said.

Family preparedness benefits officials as much as the family itself, Turman said. "They (emergency responders) can concentrate on stabilizing the incident and focusing on the individuals who were victims of the incident," she said.

While South Dakotans understand the threat of blizzards and tornados, they need to recognize that other threats are possible as well. And they can best do that by planning and preparing, Turman said.

"South Dakotans, I think, generally are prepared," Turman said. "The thing we need to fight is complacency. We need to keep pounding the message of preparedness."

What to put in your emergency kit

Whether it's a natural disaster, a pandemic or a terrorist attack, it's crucial to have an emergency kit. The bReadySD campaign provides the following list of things to keep in your kit.

To find out how to handle an individual crisis or to find out more about emergency preparedness, go to www.bReadySD.com.

Water

Store enough bottled water for one week - one gallon per person, per day for drinking and sanitation. Keep the water in a cool, dark place and change the supply every six months.

Nonperishable food

Keep a three- to five-day supply of food per person. Store ready-to-eat foods such as canned meat, fruits and vegetables, boxed juice, powdered milk and soup, crackers, granola and trail mix.

Clothes

Collect one change of clothes and shoes per person. Pack blankets, rain gear and outerwear in case of bad weather.

Prescription medicine

Keep three days' worth of all your prescription medicines on hand. Track and honor the expiration dates.

Flashlights

Keep a good flashlight ready. Don't use candles. They are a fire hazard.

Can opener

Remember to have a manual can opener on hand. Also think about buying items with a pull-top opening so you won't need a can opener.

Radio

Have a battery-powered or hand-crank powered radio to keep track of news and weather reports. Keep extra batteries on hand if radio is battery-powered.

Hygiene basics

Remember personal hygiene basics. Pack soap, toothpaste, toilet paper and moist towelettes.

First-aid kit

Always have a first-aid kit stored. It should include antiseptic, gloves, bandages and nonprescription medicine. You can buy a pre-made kit at most pharmacies and grocery stores.

Essential records

Make copies of all your essential records. These include Social Security cards, health insurance cards, homeowners' insurance information and cards, family contacts and phone numbers and detailed list of medications.

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at lynn.taylorrick@rapid cityjournal.com or 394-8414.