09/03/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/03/2024 09:38
September is National Preparedness Month, and it's a good opportunity to make sure you and your family have an emergency plan in place in case disaster strikes. Our Emergency Management Coordinator Waheeda Yousofzoy offers some important tips to help you stay prepared:
PLAN AHEAD
Communication
Sign up for Alerts and Warnings
Transportation
Plan ahead if you need help evacuating, especially if you use Assistive Devices (walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc.).
Individual Needs
Understand your needs in gathering your disaster supply kit, especially when it comes to the following items: 1. Medications 2. Medical Supplies 3. Batteries and Chargers.
Documentation
Make copies of Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurance cards. Keep your contacts updated and synced across all your channels, including phone, email and social media. Store important documents and items like passports, birth certificates, maps and electronics in a flood-safe place like a high shelf or upper floor in resealable water-tight plastic bags to help waterproof them. Visit www.floodsmart.gov to know your area's level of flood risk.
MAKE A PLAN
Create a Support Network
Family, friends and others can assist you during an emergency. Create a group chat via a texting app or a thread for family/friends/coworkers to communicate during a disaster.
Make an Emergency Plan
Be sure to at least have one person in your support network have an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies, as well as understands how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine.
Service Providers
If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.
Pets and Service Animals
Not all shelters accept pets, so plan for alternatives. Consider asking loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area if they can help with your animals.
BE INFORMED
Basic Commands
HAZARD SPECIFIC
Wildfires
Create a safety zone of at least 30 to 100-feet around your residence. Keep grass, plants and other vegetation around your living area well hydrated. Keep your roof and gutters clear of debris.
Home Fires
Create and practice a fire escape plan from your place of residence. Fire Escape Plan Make sure you can get through doorways and exits if you use a walker or wheelchair.
Flooding
Find safe shelter right away. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don't Drown! Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Depending on the type of flooding: