Emergency Management Agency And Medical Reserve Corps Stress Preparedness In Uncertain Times
Emergency Management Agency And Medical Reserve Corps Stress Preparedness In Uncertain Times
Whether or not you believe in Climate change? We can all agree that weather patterns are changing and becoming more severe. Think Harvey…Irma…!!
With September being National Preparedness Month and winter weather fast approaching, September and the coming months are a great time to start planning and preparing for unexpected weather events. Disastrous events can happen at any time. ( Remember the November tornado in New Minden). The key to whether or not your family becomes a survivor or victim depends on “PREPAREDNESS”.
For the month of September, this year’s preparedness theme selected by FEMA, (@Ready.gov), is “Disasters don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” which includes four (4) parts for you to think about and implement.
• Make a Plan for yourself, family, friends
• Plan to help your neighbors and community
• Practice and build out your Plan
• Get involved! BE PART OF SOMETHING LARGER!
Medical Reserve Corps. Recruiting Drive, in front of the County 911 Office, Linda Drumwright and Heather Stingley.
Time and time again, while watching news footage of the two most recent hurricanes to hit the U.S., we heard “ we were trapped, we had no food, no water….”, some for several days, and our hearts went out to those who could not prepare for themselves, which really emphasizes the need for Planning. Even with rescue efforts in full force and shelters opening to survivors being delivered to them with nothing but the “wet” clothes on their backs, the sheer volume of people made it very difficult for local resources alone to meet immediate needs. It could have been a total different scenario with some personal planning in place.
FIRST- BE ALERT TO AND HEED THE WARNINGS!
SECOND- HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT PACKED AND READY TO GO WITH WHAT YOUR FAMILY NEEDS.
THIRD- IMPLEMENT YOUR “ PRACTICED” PLANS, THE “KEY” BE PRACTICED.
FOURTH- PREPARE TO AID YOUR NEIGHBORS WHO MAY NEED YOUR HELP. GET TO KNOW THE NEEDS-FOREKNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
Within Washington County, our local Emergency Management Agency and our Public Health Department can help with all information needed to address preparedness activities for you family. A booth was set up at the Fall Festival in Nashville to make this information available and to promote readiness. You may also stop by the Emergency Management Office (the “old” jail building next to the court house) or the Public Health Department anytime to get information on preparing family emergency kits for home/car/work for severe incidents. Common hazards to our area are: tornadoes, severe storms, power outages, winter storms, earthquakes, hazardous releases and pandemic outbreaks.
Once again PREPAREDNESS is Key!
Information was also available during the Fall Festival for a volunteer opportunity with our local Medical Reserve Corps and is on-going. Think of the many first responders and volunteers who sacrificed their time and sometimes their own welfare to aid those affected by the severe events, willing to be part of “ something bigger than themselves”, to share their time and talents to produce a favorable outcome, to save lives, and to aid in the path to recovery for their own neighboring communities.
If you have the same drive and commitment, consider becoming a trained volunteer with a local or national organization such as the Medical Reserve Corp.
Contact Linda Drumwright (Volunteer Coordinator) by calling 327-4800 x 340 or email: linda.drumwright@washingtonco.illinois.gov or stop by the EMA office for information or to pick up an application.
