The 8th annual National Preparedness Month will kick-off in September with the slogan, “A Time to Remember – A Time to Prepare”. The campaign seeks to transform awareness into action by encouraging all Americans to take the necessary steps to ensure that their homes, workplaces and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kinds. Next month also marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate states, “By doing what we can to ensure our communities and our nation are prepared to respond and recover from all types of disasters and hazards, we honor the memory of those who were lost that day.”
McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents that disasters can happen at any time and any place – each event is unique. This weekend’s torrential storm along the East Coast caused by Hurricane Irene is a good example of how planning ahead can minimize the risk of injury. Locally, the area has seen a number of storms, extreme temperatures, lengthy power outages and flooding. Did your family have a 3-day supply kit? Having an emergency plan in place can mean the difference between a small inconvenience and a catastrophe. Keri Zaleski, MCDH Emergency Response Coordinator says, “If residents prepare now, the County will be better prepared when it faces the next disaster.”
McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds residents that disasters can happen at any time and any place – each event is unique. This weekend’s torrential storm along the East Coast caused by Hurricane Irene is a good example of how planning ahead can minimize the risk of injury. Locally, the area has seen a number of storms, extreme temperatures, lengthy power outages and flooding. Did your family have a 3-day supply kit? Having an emergency plan in place can mean the difference between a small inconvenience and a catastrophe. Keri Zaleski, MCDH Emergency Response Coordinator says, “If residents prepare now, the County will be better prepared when it faces the next disaster.”
Basic emergency supply kit instructions can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html. David Christensen, McHenry County’s EMA Director, also recommends purchasing an all-hazard alert radio with a battery backup, a tone-alert feature and Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology which would alert you when a Watch or Warning is issued in your area. MCDH has established social media websites for the community to receive emergency messages (www.twitter.com/mchenrycohealth and www.facebook.com). For more information on local emergency preparedness, visit www.mcdhprepare.info or call 815-334-4510.
1 comment:
Don't forget about your pets when creating your emergency plan & kit. (food, kitty litter, rabies tag for your dog, collar & leash, vet records if the pet has any medical conditions, etc).
And if you must go to a shelter, be sure to find out if it will allow pets, or if you'll have to make alternate arrangements for them.
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