PreparedTogether

## My Story

Prepared Together was born from a simple realization: when emergencies happen, most families are forced to make important decisions while searching for information they wish they had organized beforehand.

Throughout my career as a paramedic, I have had the privilege of serving people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Medical emergencies, severe weather, unexpected hospitalizations, transportation disruptions, and other crises often create confusion and stress. While every situation is different, one lesson has remained consistent: preparation matters.

Over time, I noticed a common pattern. Families were searching for medication lists, insurance information, emergency contacts, pet records, and important documents while simultaneously trying to manage the emergency itself. People were doing the best they could under difficult circumstances, but many lacked a central place to organize the information that mattered most.

As I continued my education in emergency management and earned a Master of Science in Emergency Services, I gained a deeper understanding of preparedness, disaster resilience, and the challenges families face before, during, and after emergencies. One lesson became increasingly clear: preparedness is not just about disasters. It is about reducing uncertainty, creating options, and protecting the people we care about most.

Prepared Together was created from that belief.

This workbook is not based on fear. It is not designed to encourage stockpiling or extreme preparedness measures. Instead, it focuses on practical planning, organization, communication, and continuity. It is designed for real families living real lives.

Throughout my career, I have also become passionate about protecting vulnerable populations. Emergencies often affect older adults, individuals with chronic medical conditions, people with disabilities, caregivers, and those with limited resources in disproportionate ways. Too often, preparedness advice assumes that everyone can evacuate quickly, replace medications easily, access transportation, or recover financially without difficulty. The reality is far more complex.

I believe preparedness should be inclusive.

Effective preparedness recognizes that every family is different and that every household has unique needs. It means planning for the person who relies on medical equipment, the caregiver supporting a loved one, the older adult living independently, and the family member who may need additional assistance during an emergency. Preparedness should work for everyone, not just those with unlimited resources, time, or mobility.

Preparedness is also deeply personal for me because family comes in many forms.

For some people, family includes children. For others, it includes parents, grandparents, caregivers, close friends, or loved ones who depend on one another for support. For me, family also includes my dogs.

Anyone who has shared their life with a pet understands that they are far more than animals. They are companions, sources of comfort, loyal friends, and valued members of the family. My dogs have taught me many things over the years, including the importance of unconditional love, patience, and responsibility. They have also reinforced a simple truth: during an emergency, our pets depend entirely on us.

They cannot gather supplies, make evacuation decisions, refill medications, or advocate for themselves. Their safety depends on the plans we make before an emergency occurs.

That belief became one of the driving forces behind this workbook. I wanted families to think beyond traditional preparedness checklists and consider everyone who depends on them, including the animals they love. A family emergency plan is not complete if it leaves family members behind, and that includes those with four legs.

Whether I am thinking about my own dogs, a family caring for an aging parent, a child with medical needs, or a household trying to navigate uncertainty during a crisis, the principle remains the same: preparedness is ultimately an act of care.

It is not about fear.

It is about taking responsibility for the people and animals who trust us, depend on us, and share our lives.

My goal with Prepared Together is simple: to provide practical tools that help families become more organized, more confident, and more prepared for life's unexpected challenges. If this workbook helps a family organize critical information, helps a caregiver feel more prepared, helps protect a beloved pet, or provides peace of mind during a difficult situation, then it has accomplished exactly what it was created to do.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for investing in your family's preparedness. And thank you for taking the time to protect what matters most.

**Jason Thompson, MSES**
Founder, Prepared Together

*"Preparedness is not about fear. It's about protecting what matters most."*