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Health Access Network Recognizes National Preparedness Month |
| Sonia Maxwell, HP/Public Relations Director |
| 09/20/2007 |
National
Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to
encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in
their homes, businesses and schools.
National Preparedness is sponsored by the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the
importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to
take action. Throughout September, Homeland Security will work with a
wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal
government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance
of family emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement
through events and activities across the nation.
The U.S. Department
of Homeland Security states that, in order for a community to be
prepared for a disaster, every person in that community needs to take
steps to become disaster-ready.
Being disaster prepared is more than just knowing what to do in
case of a tornado or a fire; it’s also about preparing a 72-hour
disaster supplies kit for your home, office and car, developing and
practicing an emergency plan for your family, understanding your
community’s warning systems and evacuation routes, knowing who to
contact in your community for more information and how you can get
involved.
The U.S. Department
of Homeland Security is asking Americans to do three things - get an
emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed
about different kinds of emergencies and how to respond to them.
- Basic emergency
supply kit - Include at least a three-day supply of water and
non-perishable food, a battery-operated radio as well as an NOAA
Weather Radio, a flashlight and batteries, a first-aid kit, a
whistle for help, a dust mask, personal sanitation items, a wrench
or pliers, a can opener, local maps, and possibly prescription
medications, infant formula and pet food.
- Family plan -
Describe how members will contact one another if they are separated.
It should include an out-of-town contact number in case local
telephone service is disrupted. A family should identify potential
evacuation locations and think through how to "shelter-in-place" at
home if needed.
- Emergency
information - Include knowledge about the potential disasters, such
as hurricanes, floods or fires in one's area.
Your local Red Cross Agency is a good place to start.
Go can go to
www.Ready.gov and learn
more about implementing your own preparedness plan.
To get involved in your community’s preparedness efforts,
visit
www.CitizenCorps.gov.
As a federally funded
community health center, Health Access Network (HAN) participates in a
Federal emergency management plan, referred to as the National Response
Plan or NRP. The NRP
establishes a single, comprehensive approach to prevent, prepare for,
respond to, and recover from major events, including natural disasters,
terrorist attacks, disease outbreaks and other public health
emergencies. HAN has
developed an Emergency Preparedness Plan with the assistance of local,
state and federal agencies.
During this year's
National Preparedness Month, our three-fold message is: get a kit, make
a plan, and be informed. By
acting today, you can protect your family, your community, and our
country for tomorrow.