Set up an emergency plan and discuss it with your immediate family members. The plan can include details such as who to call during an attack, practical advice on what to do during an emergency and where to meet should you become separated from each other. Remember, preparation is often key during high-strung situations so planning what to do in advance is a simple way of keeping your family members informed on critical information.

Prepare a kit that you can have quick access to in case of emergencies. The kit should be stored somewhere visible and easy to recover should you and your family are forced to take shelter in your home or a specific location for a period of time. Things to include in your kit could be a flashlight with extra batteries, medical supplies such as bandages, and a fully charged mobile phone in case communication lines get disrupted.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is constantly innovating to prepare the city against homeland and security threats but you can do your part in keeping our streets safe. Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activities. Additionally, if a situation makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the location and find a safe place to wait out the threat. You can also report unusual behavior, suspicious or unattended packages, and strange devices to the police or any nearby security guards.

It’s easier said than done but it’s important to try and stay calm if a terrorist attack does occur. Follow instructions from local officials and emergency service personnel as they will be best equipped to help you and your family in the event of an evacuation. You should also try to listen to the local TV and radio for updates and instructions from the authorities.

‘Social Responders’ function as a complement to existing government agencies like the police, military and civil defence. Think of them as the first people you can reach out to at a community level should an emergency occur. As a volunteer, you can help to immediately respond to calm public anger, manage social distrust and prevent knee-jerk retaliations, which aid in combating fear in the aftermath of a terrorist act.