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Three Ways to Plan on Maintaining Your Status During an Emergency Event


September 1, 2015

In September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supports National Preparedness Month, a month-long event that asks everyone in the United States to take action and prepare for emergencies and natural disasters before they strike.

Preparedness Month closes on Sept. 30 with America’s PrepareAthon!, a biannual day of action dedicated to providing individuals, organizations and communities with the opportunity to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills and exercises.

As an international student studying in the United States, it is important that you always maintain your status — even during an emergency event. As you begin to take action and prepare for the unexpected, be sure you remember to:

  1. Collect the documents that are important to maintaining your F or M student status, including your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” passport and student visa. Keep these items in a safe, easily accessible place and be prepared to take them in case of an emergency.
  2. Have emergency contact information for your designated school official (DSO). They are a good resource for your school’s policies and procedures, including what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.
  3. Sign up for campus and local alerts and warnings. This may include downloading apps and checking for emergency alerts in your community.

DHS works with schools across the country to help campuses plan and prepare for emergency events; however, as an international student it is also important that you personally take action and understand the types of emergencies that could affect where you live and study in the United States.

Check out FEMA’s Ready Campaign to learn ways to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters that may occur in your area and man-made catastrophes that could happen anywhere. If you have questions about campus preparedness and resilience at your school, talk to your DSO and read your school’s Emergency Operations Plan. 

Want more ways to get involved in National Preparedness Month? Read National Preparedness Month: Make a Plan and encourage your fellow international students to get involved, too.

Share how you are participating in FEMA’s National Preparedness Month by joining the #NatlPrep conversation on social media.

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