Going for the Gold ... In Preparedness!

Like many of you, I have been tied  to my TV watching the coverage from London for the Olympics.  As I watch the events,  it amazes me at the passion these athletes have in competing.  I am also just as moved by  and some of the stories of sacrifice families have made to help their loved ones reach for their opportunity to compete for the Gold.   Here at CRESA we want to help you achieve the medal stand as you prepare for emergencies!

BRONZE:  Its important to  prepare and stay informed about emergencies. Do you know what the major hazards that could happen in your area?  There are many things  that should be considered  before, during and after an event that are unique to each hazard, and its important to plan for each.   Share the hazard-specific information with family members and include pertinent materials in your family disaster plan.

Find out how you will be notified for each kind of disasters, both natural and man-made. You should also inquire about alert and warning systems for workplace, schools and other locations. There are many avaialable here in Clark County. Information about many are listed on the CRESA website    Methods may vary from community to community, but there are some like the Emergency Alert System (EAS) are almost common nationwide today. This method broadcasts via emergency radio and TV.  Special siren's are still used in some areas.  It's important to understand what to do when you hear one of these.   .

Consider...

As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Most or all individuals have both specific personal needs as well as resources to assist others. You and your household and others you help or rely on for assistance should work together.
As part of tailoring your plans, consider working with others to create networks of neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers who will assist each other in an emergency.  Programs that may help you with these types of activities include "Map your Neighborhood" and C.E.R.T.  Help create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.

• Households/individuals should consider and customize their plans for individual needs and responsibilities based on the methods of communication, types of shelter and methods of transportation available to them. Other factors to keep in mind include:

• different ages of members
• 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
• cultural and religious considerations
• pets or service animals

For more information on how to prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan,  click here and download the sample.

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SILVER:    Build a Kit!!   A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.  Assembling your kit well in advance of an emergency allows you to be ready. You may not have much time to evacuate so being prepared ahead of time is essential. . You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.  You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient amount to last for at least 72 hours. Local assistantance and relief workers will be on the scene soon after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. Depending on your location and proximity to the disaster, you may get help in hours or it might take days. Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Make sure your supply kit contains items to help you manage during these outages

GOLD: Get Invovled!!   In the face of disaster, Americans are great at coming together in unity and asking, “How can I help?”  There are many ways to Get Involved especially before a disaster occurs.  The whole community can participate in programs and activities to make their families, homes and communities safer from risks and threats.  The formula for ensuring a safer homeland consists of volunteers, a trained and informed public and increased support of emergency response agencies during disasters. Major disasters can overwhelm first responder agencies, empowering individuals to lend support.

So Get Involved before disaster strikes! Here are a few ways you can help:

• Volunteer to support disaster efforts in your community. Get trained and volunteer with a Community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps unit and/or other Citizen Corps Partner Program or Affiliate organization.  Manylocal faith-based and community organizations have programs active in supporting disasters too.
• Be part of the  community planning process . Connect and collaborate with your local emergency planning group, Citizen Corps Council or local emergency management agency.
• Join or start a preparedness project. Find an event or identify local resources, build a team, choose a project, set goals and serve your community by improving the preparedness of your friends, colleagues and neighbors.
• Support major disasters by donating cash or goods which may help meet the needs of your community in times of disaster.

With a little work just like those representing us in the Olympics you too can be on the path of being informed  and in the game  to achieve your own Gold Medal... in Preparedness!