September is National Preparedness Month
With September being National Preparedness Month, Director of the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services, David Shipley, encourages families and individuals to prepare an emergency plan for themselves.
According to the emergency services release, communities are vulnerable to any number of hazards or threatening situations, and these can include not only natural disasters, but also man-made threats.
They use the term “all hazard” to describe these potential situations, and in the event of a disaster or emergency, individuals and communities may need to be self-sufficient until help from the local, state, or federal agencies can be obtained. So, preparing for “all hazards” can require knowing the risks and developing emergency plans to use during and after the situation.
Emergency officials say these efforts will help minimize the impact and protect families, homes, and the community.
Risks to be prepared for can include:
- Hurricane
- Flooding
- Wildfire
- Thunderstorm
- Heat Wave
- Winter Storm
- Tornado
Wicomico emergency services say that you can begin by taking the following steps:
- Be informed- Know the risks and hazards in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them.
- Make a family emergency plan- Know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones in a disaster. Do you know how to reach your children if they are in school or your spouse if they are at work? If you needed to evacuate, do you have a designated place to go?
- Build an emergency supply kit- You need these for the home or car. It should include water, food, and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lost power or were stranded in your car.
- Get involved- Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community.
Further information about emergency preparedness topics may be obtained by visiting the Department of Emergency Services web page, or calling 410-548-4820.
