Press Release on September National Preparedness Month from Clark County Emergency Management Department
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 -- 11:36 AM
-The thought of your family or business being impacted by a disaster is never a pleasant one. It is however, extremely important to plan ahead and be ready if disaster strikes. Disasters can be natural or man-made such as transportation accidents or even deliberate acts. Knowing the hazards you face in everyday life and thinking ahead about how you will react to them can make the difference between life and death. Each year the month of September is designated as National Preparedness Month to encourage residents to plan and prepare for disasters which may pose a hazard to them.According to the Clark County Emergency Management Department, knowing what to do and preparing in advance will go a long way to improving the likelihood of a positive outcome in a disaster. Knowing where to get Emergency information and warnings can be vital. Having a NOAA All-Hazards radio and signing up for wireless alerts to your cell phones can be an excellent source of information. Doing things such as having plans for evacuation or sheltering in place are critical. You must also practice the plans once you develop them. Talk to your family about such things as where you will meet if you are unable to get home or who you will contact to let family know you are safe if you become separated. Business owners need to be sure their employees know what to do or where to go if their business is unable to operate at its current facilities because of disaster. They also need to teach their employees about evacuation procedures and shelter points within their facilities.
While the likelihood of certain types of disasters changes throughout the year we must remember that we face the possibility of disaster year round. This requires us to be aware of our environment and potential threats year round. In the spring or summer the focus turns to things such as Severe Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, or Flooding. During winter heavy snow and extreme cold draw the most attention. We cannot forget about the possible hazards. A Tornado is not likely in January but as Kenosha found out several years ago it is not impossible. We must take an "All-Hazards" approach when preparing for disaster. Things such as transportation accidents, wildfires or long term power outages can happen anytime and the consequences can be significant.
An important step is assembling an Emergency Supplies Kit. This kit should contain things such as flashlights, portable radios and batteries, along with water for drinking and non perishable food items. It is recommended that this kit contain a three day supply for each member of your household. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and whether storing medications in this kit is advised. A common misconception is that emergency responders will get to you right away. This is not always possible depending on the type and size of the disaster. You may have to shelter in your home for several days without things such as electricity or utility service and having the supplies needed becomes extremely important.
One area of particular note is knowing what to do if a "Shelter in Place" warning is issued. Shelter in Place is a term that many people are not familiar with. The easiest way to describe it is "go inside, stay inside". These warnings are generally issued in a hazardous materials release or fire where air quality is a concern. They are generally short lived, a few hours and are issued when evacuation may not be the best option. If a Shelter in Place warning is issued and you are in the effected area you should do the following:
a. Bring pets indoors with you. Close all external doors and windows. Turn off any heating, air conditioning units, or window fans that draw air from the outside.
b. Turn on the local TV or radio station, or use the local media's social media sites for more information.
Follow any additional instructions given by local officials
Preparing to shelter in place is the same as preparing for other disasters, such as severe storms, a tornado, or a power outage. Have a NOAA weather radio, a supply of water on hand, non-perishable food items, and a "go kit," in case it should become necessary to evacuate. Know how to access reliable sources of information such as local media stations (radio, TV), and local government social media and websites.
Do not call 911 to ask questions about the shelter in place warning. Only use 911 for an emergency. Information will be provided through local media, NOAA all-hazards radios, and trusted social media sites (local government, reliable media sources).
Local Emergency Response Agencies train and prepare for disaster and are dedicated to providing the best response possible. Your help in planning and preparing will go a great distance in helping in their efforts to respond if disaster strikes. Together we can build disaster resilient communities through education and efforts to be ready.
Information regarding this subject is readily available from numerous sources. These would include your local Emergency Management Office as well as websites such as www.ready.gov and www.readywisconsin.gov along with other partners such as the American Red Cross.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.