Vehicle Preparedness Workshop
Workshop Outline
Overview
Participants will learn how to prepare their vehicle with supplies, tools, and strategies across ten essential human-needs categories to stay safe, comfortable, and resilient during roadside emergencies, winter events, evacuations, or unexpected breakdowns.
Audience: Drivers, families, commuters, road-trip travelers, community preparedness groups.
Materials: Sample car kit, handouts/checklists, emergency items for demonstration.
Course Topics
Welcome & Objective
- Introduce facilitator
- Quick group poll: “What’s the longest you’ve ever been stranded in your vehicle?”
- Set expectations: “Today you’ll build your own vehicle readiness plan.”
The 10-Needs Vehicle Preparedness Framework
Introduce the nine categories and how they apply to VEHICLE emergencies:
- Vehicle Readiness Check
- Water
- Food
- Sleep
- Shelter
- Hygiene
- Power
- Personal Safety
- Clothing
- Emotional Well-Being
Explain how these needs matter during:
- Breakdowns
- Road closures
- Accidents
- Getting stuck in snow
- Evacuations
- Rural or remote driving
10 Needs Checklist
Each checklist item discusses:
- Why it matters in a vehicle emergency
- Essential car-kit items
- Tips and strategies
- 1-minute participant action step
VEHICLE READINESS CHECK
Why it matters: If your vehicle is not mechanically sound and doesn’t have fuel, washer fluid, oil, etc., it won’t matter how prepared the rest of your emergency supplies are since you won’t be able to leave your home.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Minimum ¼ tank of fuel
- Topped up windshield wiper fluid
- Regular oil check
- Regular summer/winter maintenance checks
- Routine tire checks
Tips: Create a worksheet that tracks all maintenance done on the vehicle and ask mechanic to let you know if anything appears near breakdown – i.e. fan belts. Much less costly and risky to change before it fails.
Action Step: Use your phone calendar or reminders to streamline standard maintenance visits.
WATER
Why it matters: Hydration during long waits. Cooling engine emergencies.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- 2–4L bottled water per person
- Collapsible water pouches
- Water purification straw/tablets if traveling in rural areas
Tips: Rotate water every 6–12 months. Never rely on melted snow alone.
Action step: Write down how much water your car should store.
FOOD
Why it matters: Blood sugar stability, clarity, energy during long delays.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Non-perishable snacks (protein bars, nuts, jerky)
- Emergency rations (5-year shelf life)
- Utensils + small manual can opener
Tips: Avoid chocolate in summer; choose heat-stable snacks.
Action step: List 3 car-safe foods to buy this week.
SLEEP
Why it matters: Fatigue during breakdowns, overnight stuck situations.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Travel pillow
- Compact sleeping bag (rated for local climate)
- Reflective windshield cover for darkness/privacy
Tips: Never sleep in a running car inside a garage; crack windows for ventilation.
Action step: Identify one comfort item to add to your sleep kit.
SHELTER
Why it matters: Temperature regulation, staying dry, protecting from wind/snow.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Mylar emergency blankets
- Vehicle-safe tent or tarp-and-bungee setup
- Window insulation panels
Tips: Keep snow cleared from exhaust pipe during winter emergencies.
Action step: Choose one item to upgrade your shelter readiness.
HYGIENE
Why it matters: Comfort, health, sanitation, confidence during extended waits.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Toilet paper + small waste bags
- Travel toothbrush + toothpaste
Tips: Create a compact hygiene pouch in your glove box.
Action step: Add one hygiene item to your shopping list.
POWER
Why it matters: Communication, light, warmth, navigation.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- USB power bank
- Car charger
- Flashlight + spare batteries
- Portable jump starter
Tips: Charge the power bank weekly; test jump starter monthly.
Action step: Identify your most essential device to keep powered.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Why it matters: Prevent accidents, ensure visibility, stay protected.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- First aid kit
- Roadside flares/reflective triangles
- Seatbelt cutter + window breaker tool
- Wasp spray or personal alarm (where legal)
Tips: Always exit the vehicle on the passenger side during highway breakdowns
Action step: Note one safety improvement for your vehicle.
CLOTHING
Why it matters: Weather, body temperature, comfort, mobility.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Full change of clothes
- Weather-appropriate outer layers
- Gloves, warm socks, hat
- Waterproof poncho
Tips: Choose neutral/durable clothing that layers well.
Action step: Determine one clothing item missing from your vehicle.
EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Why it matters: Calm = clear decision-making. Panic = mistakes.
Vehicle kit essentials:
- Small journal + pen
- Basic first-aid “emotional kit”: grounding prompts, affirmations
- Tiny entertainment kit (cards, book, puzzle)
- Comfort item (tea packets, small cozy blanket)
Tips: Create a personalized “calm plan” for emergencies.
Action step: Choose one emotional-support item to add.
BUILD YOUR VEHICLE KIT PLAN
Participants fill out a worksheet that includes:
- Strength level in each category
- Items they already have
- Priority items to purchase
- Steps to complete their kit within 7 days
- Optional group share: “What’s one upgrade you’re making this week?”
DEMO: REAL VEHICLE KIT SHOWCASE
Show examples such as:
- Winter survival kit
- Minimalist glove-box kit
- Family car kit
- Road-trip expanded kit
Participants can handle items and ask questions.
Wrap-up
- Quick recap of all 10 categories
- Printable checklist provided
- Invite to advanced workshop or 1:1 preparedness coaching