Schools, families be “Ready” during National Preparedness Month
For many families, school is back in session this month, but students shouldn’t be the only ones with homework. The Delaware Citizen Corps program and Delaware Emergency Management Agency encourage parents to become familiar with their child’s school emergency plan.
As part of National Preparedness Month and throughout the year, parents and schools are encouraged to visit delawarecitizencorps.org/ or Federal Emergency Management Agency website at ready.gov/ for helpful tools and tips on what it truly means to be prepared. The websites list potential hazards and provide preparedness checklists, kids’ activities and more.
Whether people are faced with weather emergencies such as nor’easters or floods, technological or other manmade disasters such as hazardous material spills or terrorist attacks, emergency readiness helps assure that children are protected physically and psychologically in the event of a disaster.
Sponsored by the Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign, NPM is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies.
National Preparedness Month focuses on helping Americans understand what it truly means to be “Ready,” which goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry. Being ready includes: getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses and getting involved in community efforts such as Citizens Corps. And being ready is important all year round, not just for the month of September.
This year, Delaware Citizens Corps is collaborating with other FEMA Region III Citizens Corps programs in West Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania to distribute preparedness messages. Each office is sending preparedness information to local media as well as social networking sites, blogs and websites. This is the first time the regional offices have worked together to coordinate a mass outreach.
By following simple preparedness steps in advance, Americans can reduce the impact of emergencies on themselves, their families and their businesses. Individuals can visit the websites listed above and the local American Red Cross at redcrossdelmarva.org/ and DEMA at dema.delaware.gov/.
