Disaster Preparedness Film In Schools

An initiative to take the Preparedness Message to our high schools just took a big step. On September 23rd at Caesar Rodney High School, led by the Delaware State Police, a news conference was conducted to introduce a new Disaster Preparedness Film/DVD. The schools will be utilizing the Delaware State Police School Resource Officers to bring that message to our young citizens. This event was attended by
Secretary of Safety & Homeland Security David Mitchell, Secretary of Education Secretary Valerie Woodruff, DEMA Director Jamie Turner, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Superintendent of Caesar Rodney School District, Caesar Rodney High School Principal Elvina Knight and Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel Thomas MacLeish. Also in attendance was the Mayor of Camden, Mayor Robert Mooney, and the Mayor of Dover Mayor Carleton Carey.

The film was a collaborative effort of the Delaware Citizen Corps, The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, The Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Public Health Preparedness Section of Public Health, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

Disaster Preparedness in Schools Kick Off

Thanks to the hard work of our State Citizen Corps Council member Sergeant Jennifer Griffin from the Delaware State Police, the initiative to have the Disaster Preparedness Film distributed to the Highs Schools that have assigned a State Police Resource officer is about to kick off a Preparedness Awareness Launch. A news conference will be held on September 23rd at Caesar Rodney High School at 1230 hours. Light refreshments will be served at 1200 hours.

Below is a link to the disaster preparedness film which will be shown in schools:

http://www.delawarecitizencorps.org/videos

Great Website for Storm Tracking

For those of you interested in keeping up to date on the tropical weather we have been experiencing, check out http://www.stormpulse.com.  This website is very interactive allowing you to look at all storms in the area, wind patterns and official National Weather Service data.

PREPAREDNESS IMPORTANT AS HANNA APPROACHES

      As the 2008 hurricane season continues, Tropical Storm Hanna is the eighth named storm and the first to impose a potential threat to Delaware. Emergency Management officials encourage the public to use the time before the storm reaches the Delmarva to review their emergency plans and supplies.
      According to the National Weather Service, Hanna is not expected to be hurricane strength by the time it reaches Delaware, however, steady rains may start as early as predawn Saturday morning. The rains are expected to continue through Saturday coupled with increasing winds that could be 30 to 40 miles an hour in strength, gusting up to 50 in some coastal areas.
      Throughout the state, emergency management officials and related partners in preparedness and response are monitoring the storm’s progress together through conference calls with the National Weather Service. At this time, there are no watches or warnings regarding Hanna on the Delmarva, but the public is urged to follow the storm’s approach and plan accordingly for personal safety and protection of property.
      For tips on a family emergency plan, including items for a supply kit, and plans for pets, information is available on dema.delaware.gov, delawarecitizencorps.org, redcrossdelmarva.org and ready.gov.
      Included in basic supplies are radios and flashlights that are battery powered or powered by cranking or shaking.    A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio is handy for 24-hour storm information. As a precaution, families should at all times have enough water and non-perishable food to last for at least three days for each family member, including pets.
      Moving outdoor and porch furniture and unsecured lawn ornaments into a garage or shelter will keep them from being damaged or from becoming projectiles if high winds accompany the storm.
      It is wise to have some extra cash on hand and to keep vehicles gassed up. Although widespread flooding is not anticipated  with Tropical Storm Hanna, a Flood Watch has been issued for parts of northern Delaware for Saturday afternoon through Saturday night. Motorists are reminded that they should never attempt to drive through a flooded area or where there is enough water on the road to restrict visibility of the road surface.
      Delaware Emergency Management Agency, along with other state and Delmarva agencies and organizations will continue to monitor the storm throughout the weekend and provide information for the safety of the public.

Family Emergency Preparedness Day Canceled

Due to the pending weather conditions, the Family Emergency Preparedness Day to be held in Dover, DE on the 6th of September has been canceled.  Please stay tuned to local media for information about the storm.

Thanks,
Delaware Citizen Corps

Hurricane Season 2008

June 1st marks the beginning of Hurricane Season 2008 for the United States. In an effort to prepare citizens of Delaware, Citizen Corps has created the presentation below with information on how to prepare before a Hurricane or other tropical storm.

In addition, FEMA has created a Hurricane Season 2008 resource page with more videos and resources which will help you prepare your families this season:

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/hu_season08.shtm