09/01/11 This September, will mark the ten year anniversary of 9/11.  Marshall County Emergency Management Agency has committed to participate in National Preparedness Month, an event founded after 9/11 to increase emergency preparedness in the United States.

The event, now in its eight year, is a nationwide, month-long effort, encouraging individuals, families, businesses and communities to work together and take action to be ready for all types of emergencies.   

Disasters can occur at anytime, anywhere, with no or very little warning.  For example, locally, we have had a blizzard, two major gas leaks requiring large scale evacuations, severe weather causing property damage and power outages, and extreme heat resulting in at least one death. That’s why preparedness is so important.

The Marshall County Emergency Management Agency is encouraging all residents to take steps to prepare for emergencies by taking the following actions:

  1. Get a Kit – Put together a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you and your family to survive for at least three days in the event an emergency happens.  The kit should include basic items like water (1 gallon per day per person), food, battery-powered radio, flashlight, a first aid kit, extra medicine, cash, pet food, and season specific clothing.

 

  1. Make a Plan – Plan in advance what you and your family will do in an emergency. Your plan should include a communications plan and address sheltering-in-place and evacuation.

 

  1. Be Informed – Learn more about different threats that could affect your community and appropriate responses to them.

 

  1. Get Involved – After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies, take the next step: get training in first aid and emergency response and get involved in preparing your community.

For more information on the types of disasters that are likely to occur in our area and additional preparedness information, contact the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 936-3740, or follow us on Facebook @ Marshall County Emergency Management and twitter @EMA_Marshall

REMEMBER:  Disaster Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility!