The Providence Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents to take stock of their family’s vital records – both financial and legal – before disaster strikes. Doing so will help everyone maintain better financial stability in the aftermath of an emergency.

The Emergency Financial Guide is available to download and printed copies are also available at PEMA headquarters on 591 Charles Street. The kit has been widely available since 2004 when it was first created by Operation HOPE, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizens Corps, to provide all Americans with a simple and basic economic recovery tool.

In order to be more financially prepared, PEMA offers the following tips:

• Complete your EFFAK financial worksheet, which includes bank account, credit card, and insurance policy information. If you store this information electronically, make a backup copy.
• Take the time to identify and organize important financial and legal documents such as social security cards, mortgages or leases, bank and credit card statements, investment papers, tax returns, and insurance information.
• Make copies of your important documents and your completed EFFAK and put them in a secure place, either at home in a protected area or at an off-site location.
• Update your EFFAK once a year to keep the kit current.