Each year, the Morgan County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (MCOHSEM) joins the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in recognizing September as National Preparedness Month.
A disaster or emergency can happen at any time and can cause significant harm to individuals, homes, and property.
To help mitigate these issues it is important to prepare before a disaster strikes!
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year.
As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September. This year’s theme is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”
Make A Plan
Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan:
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
- Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus. Get cloth face coverings (for everyone over 2 years old), disinfectants, and check my sheltering plan.
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household. As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment.
Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:
- Different ages of members within your household,
- Responsibilities for assisting others,
- Locations frequented,
- Dietary needs,
- Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment,
- Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment,
- Languages spoken,
- Cultural and religious considerations,
- Pets or service animals,
- Households with school-aged children.
Step 3: Fill out a family emergency plan. Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use it as a guide to create your own.
Emergency Plan for Parents. https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/create-your-family-emergency-communication-plan.pdf
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.
By visiting the website https://www.ready.gov/plan you can access the following documents to help you prepare or click on the links below:
- Family Emergency Communication Guide,
- Family Communication Plan Fillable Card,
- Emergency Plan for Families,
- Emergency Plan for Kids,
- Emergency Plan for Commuters,
- Pet Owners,
- Family Emergency Communication Planning Document,
- Family Emergency Communication Plan Wallet Cards,
- Know Your Alerts and Warnings,
- Protect Critical Documents and Valuables,
- Document and Insure Your Property,
- Emergency Financial First Aid Kit,
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Disaster Checklist ,
- Make a Plan (Video).
