Submitted by Whitfield County government
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September is National Preparedness Month, a time to prepare for emergencies.
The Georgia Emergency Management Division of Homeland Security and the Whitfield County Office of Emergency Management encourage everyone to take responsibility for the preparations that save lives when disaster strikes.
National Preparedness Month is led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Advertising Council and is a nationwide effort encouraging individuals, families, businesses and communities to work together and take action to prepare for emergencies.
National Preparedness Month is supported by a coalition of public, private and nonprofit organizations that help spread the preparedness message. This year’s record number of coalition members is sharing preparedness information with their members, customers, employees and communities. Members also spearhead activities that encourage specific steps for individual, neighborhood and community preparedness.
Claude Craig, Whitfield County Emergency Management director, points out a great source of ideas to help people plan for safety in their homes, workplaces, schools and communities during this month-long event are the Georgia Ready website at www.ready.ga.gov and the Ready America website at www.ready.gov.
Engaging with children on the topic of emergency preparedness is an effective way to bring home the preparedness message. Local events are happening all over the country throughout September to underscore the importance of getting people of all ages involved in preparing for emergencies.
Businesses and civic organizations can use ideas and materials available through the National Ready campaign just by registering at the website. There are simple ways to teach people the relatively easy things they need to do in order to avoid being caught without recourse when emergencies occur.
On the national campaign website www.ready.gov individuals can select the “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Get Involved” icons for guidance on basic ways to prepare. The “National Preparedness Month” link at the bottom of the page will take visitors to an information/registration page that leads to materials, media, graphics and other tools for participation.
During National Preparedness Month, Whitfield County Emergency Services will be involved with many events throughout the community to spread the word about “Being Prepared.”
