Be Ready When Disaster Strikes
In recent years, devastating earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires and a pandemic have highlighted the need for Americans to prepare for natural disaster. However, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), half of Americans have not discussed or developed a family emergency plan.
In observance of National Preparedness Month in September, Southern 7 Health Department (S7HD) offers simple tips to help your family be ready and safe in an emergency.
Tip 1: Be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur in your area and the best way to protect yourself if and when they happen. These may include severe seasonal storms, tornadoes, flooding, fire, earthquake, pandemic and others.
Tip 2: Make a family/household emergency plan including information on how to reconnect and reunite. It can include how to receive emergency warnings and alerts, updating your emergency preparedness kit, knowing evacuation routes, and what is your communication plan.
As you prepare your plan, tailor it and your supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities including care of children, business, pets or operating medical equipment for those in need. And don’t forget to practice.
Tip 3: Build emergency supply kits for work, home, and car. A list of basic supplies can be found at https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Tip 4: Get yourself and your family involved by finding opportunities to support community preparedness. This can include learning First Aid and CPR, donating to reputable organizations in your area, volunteering, and sharing tips on social media.
You can also become a member of the S7HD Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). This local response team consists of healthcare and non-healthcare volunteers working to strengthen the health and safety of our communities. MRC identifies, trains and prepares volunteers before a disaster.
For more information on preparing for an emergency, or to become an MRC member, contact Bobi Cavins, S7 MRC Coordinator at 618-634-2297, ex 9123, download the Southern 7 App or visit www.southern7.org.
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