Disaster Preparedness With Food Allergies: Lessons from the Recent California Fires
Disaster Preparedness With Food Allergies: Lessons from the Recent California Fires
Disaster Preparedness With Food Allergies: Lessons from the Recent California Fires
by Nicole Della Santina, MPH, FAACT Vice President of Public Health
The recent wildfires in southern California were a stark reminder that disasters can strike quickly and without warning. For families managing food allergies, these emergencies bring even more complex challenges. Beyond the immediate threat of fire, evacuations and supply shortages make it harder to access safe food, medication, and other critical necessities. At FAACT, we know that disaster preparedness can feel overwhelming—there’s so much to think about, and it’s easy to tell ourselves that “this won’t happen to me.” But the reality is, emergencies happen when we least expect them, and taking small, manageable steps now can make all the difference when every second counts.
One of the most important aspects of emergency planning is having essential supplies and information ready. When a disaster strikes, you don’t want to be scrambling to find medications, safe food, or important documents. That’s why every family should have both a Go-Bag and a Stay-Bag. A Go-Bag is designed for quick evacuations and should be easy to carry or roll, with at least 72 hours’ worth of food, water, emergency medications, and documents like an allergy action plan. A Stay-Bag, on the other hand, is meant for sheltering in place and should have enough supplies for up to two weeks, including larger quantities of safe foods, food preparation tools that don’t require electricity, and extra medications.
FAACT provides downloadable checklists to help families customize their bags based on their specific needs and budgets, ensuring they have what they need, no matter the situation.
- FAACT's Go-Bag List
- FAACT's Stay-Bag List
- FAACT Emergency Contact Essentials List
- FAACT Emergency Health & Allergy Profile
- FAACT's Roundtable Podcast: Emergency Preparedness
The wildfires also highlighted the importance of having a solid emergency plan in place. Families should establish communication strategies in case they get separated and be familiar with multiple evacuation routes. Knowing where to go is just as important as knowing what to take. If a shelter is the only option, it’s essential to research which locations can accommodate food allergies. Unfortunately, not all shelters are equipped to handle special dietary needs, so having an emergency food supply, advocating for allergy-friendly options, and talking with emergency response agencies in your area NOW is crucial. FAACT provides resources on how to navigate these situations plus ideas to help locate food pantries closest to you.
FAACT's Tips for Staying Informed During Disasters: In the chaos of an emergency, misinformation spreads quickly, making it critical to rely on trusted sources like local government agencies, emergency management teams, and organizations like FAACT. Social media can be a helpful tool, but it can also contribute to confusion if information isn’t verified. Signing up for local emergency alerts and checking reputable sources ensures that families receive accurate, up-to-date information when it matters most.
FAACT's Disaster-Specific Resources: Advocacy plays a key role in improving emergency response efforts, from training shelter staff on food allergies to ensuring allergy-friendly options are included in emergency food supplies. By working with emergency management teams, community organizations, and local governments, we can push for more inclusive disaster-preparedness efforts that take the needs of food-allergic individuals into account.
While no one likes to think about worst-case scenarios, preparing ahead of time provides peace of mind and security. The California wildfires reinforced how crucial it is to take action now rather than waiting until disaster strikes. During the fires, we saw an incredible show of support from the food allergy community, with people quickly sharing information about safe food options, accessible shelters, and other critical resources. FAACT is committed to helping families navigate these challenges by providing resources and tools to help food-allergic families prepare for the unexpected. By taking steps today—whether it’s assembling a Go-Bag, creating a family emergency plan, or learning how to advocate for allergy-friendly disaster response—we can all be better prepared for whatever comes our way.
Visit FAACT's Disaster Resource Center to learn more.
