Local and state safety officials say when it comes to emergency planning the key is to be prepared, not fearful.

Precaution was the theme of the Wareham Emergency Preparedness Forum, a Thursday night event sponsored by the Bourne-Wareham Kiwanis Club and the Wareham High School Key Club.

Approximately 30 residents attended the event to ask questions and learn more about how agencies such as the Red Cross, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), health officials and first responders collaborate before, during and after a disaster.

“We’re not trying to be alarmist,” said Onset Fire Chief Ray Goodwin. “We want you to be prepared.”

Doug Forbes, a local coordinator for MEMA, echoed the sentiment and said, "“One of the best things you can do is be prepared."

Other speakers included Wareham Police Department Lt. John Walcek, who also serves as the town’s emergency management director, Wareham Assistant Fire Chief John Kelley and representatives from the Board of Health, Red Cross, Tobey Hospital and the Wareham School District.

All the panelists emphasized the extensive training they and their staff receive and the intensive planning the agencies do to coordinate their efforts.

Walcek noted that the town’s emergency management agency, alongside police and firefighters, trains for a variety of contingencies, everything from hurricanes to tanker truck spills.

Goodwin recalled Hurricane Bob, which struck in 1991, and the devastation it wrought.

With hurricane season starting in three weeks, Goodwin and Walcek said natural disasters are a major focus of emergency planning efforts.

Panelists stressed that putting together an emergency kit, packed with food, water, personal medications batteries and more, is paramount.

Forbes said that FEMA has free emergency planning booklets, titled "Are You Ready," available. The books can be ordered by calling 1-800-480-2520.

Jeff Rossi, of the American Red Cross, noted that a new emergency tool that is particularly useful is a hand crank radio that doubles as a phone charger when there's no electricity.

Questions regarding evacuating before a disaster were raised by a few audience members.

Goodwin and Walcek said officials weigh evacuation announcements carefully. Should you be told to leave the area, it’s best to listen they said, both for personal safety and the safety of first responders.

“It’s important that when you’re told to evacuate, you need to evacuate,” said Forbes. “Public officials do not make that decision lightly.”

Walcek noted that emergency officials have a timeline in the days and hours before a potential disaster strikes. The timeline guides official's actions when it comes to evacuation and preparation.

Residents should stay informed by paying attention to the police department’s social media channels and news outlets.

Kelley noted that in extreme situations firefighters will drive through neighborhoods under an evacuation order and make the announcement via loudspeaker.

In the event of an emergency, the Red Cross and safety officials will designate the Multi-Service Center as a shelter where residents can go to get out of harm’s way or to escape homes that may be without water, heat and electricity.

The speakers encouraged residents to check up on neighbors who may be elderly or disabled before an emergency and make sure health officials are aware of their situation.

While many may rely on first responders when disaster strikes, a particularly devastating event will tax public resources.

In such an event, the panelists said the best thing residents can do is to make sure they have plenty of supplies on hand to weather the storm.

To learn more about emergency preparedness, and what you can do in the event of a disaster, visit www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/.