In this article
The French guide Tous responsables offers practical guidance on preparing for crises. Published on November 20, 2025, it is available through official French services. For readers in Québec, it is a supplementary resource: telephone numbers, alert systems and some instructions must be adapted to the territory where you are.
Read the official document rather than an old announcement
When a guide is announced before it is published, comments can mix project, final content and interpretations. Consult the version published by the Ministry of the Interior or the General Secretariat of Defence and National Security. Check the date and origin of the file before sharing it.
The publication of a preparedness tool alone is not proof that a specific disaster is imminent. Its interest is to help people know their risks, prepare resources and understand the expected behaviors in different situations.
Retaining a logic of gradual preparation
The preparation starts with the basic needs: drinking, eating, receiving information, lighting up, continuing care and being able to leave a dangerous place. A kit must be adapted to people, animals and housing constraints. It’s not just about buying a standard set.
The French civil security recommends an emergency kit allowing a basic autonomy of 72 hours. This duration serves as a starting point for preparation; it does not promise a recovery of all services after three days, nor an ability to remain on site in any situation. A requested evacuation must be followed without waiting to have consumed its reserves.
Adapting benchmarks in Quebec
| Subject | What can be transferred | What needs to be checked locally |
|---|---|---|
| Family Plan | Contacts, meeting points and feedback | Municipal guidelines and places of reception |
| Public information | Several ways to receive an opinion | Alert devices and accessible stations |
| Documents | Useful copies and access protection | Documents required according to the procedures |
| Health | Treatments, equipment and contacts | Organization with the usual professionals |
| Departure | Transportable bag and hospitality solution | Open routes, transport and animals |
In Quebec, use the resources of the Government of Quebec and your municipality to draw up the home plan. During a stay in France, prepare on the contrary the coordinates and the French instructions. A foreign document should not create confusion when calling for help.
Choose additional means of information
Telephone, radio and municipal information can complement each other. Check the power supply, reception and knowledge of orders before a breakdown. A crank or a small integrated solar panel does not guarantee fast charging of all devices.
A mobile energy reserve can help keep the phone available. Check the connectors, payload and state of charge. The presence of a battery does not replace paper contacts and a meeting point.
Turning Reading into Family Exercise
Choose a common scenario, for example a breakdown on a winter evening. Who receives the information? Where are the lamps? How to reach an absent person? What solution exists if the accommodation becomes too cold or a medical need can no longer be insured?
Do a short first try, then correct the difficulties. Children can learn a simple marker without being exposed to anxious images. People with special needs must participate in the choice of solutions that concern them. Preparation becomes useful when everyone knows what they can do and when to ask for help.
French Ministry of the Interior — Tous responsables guide · SGDSN — Tous responsables guide · French Civil Security - Emergency Kit · Quebec - Preparing for Home