The overarching theme of the Earthquake Evacuation Plan is to be prepared for an earthquake. Preparedness begins in an individual's daily life and includes items and training that would be useful in an earthquake. Earthquake evacuation plans progress from individual preparedness to family preparedness, community preparedness, business, non-profit, and governmental preparedness. Some organizations combine these levels. Businesses are encouraged to have a Disaster Recovery Plan as part of their business continuity planning. The FEMA in the United States categorizes preparedness as a pyramid, with citizens at the base, followed by local government, state government, and federal government in that order.
