Marshall County is not immune to emergencies and disasters. The Blizzard and snow events this past winter impacted schools, businesses and families. The tornadoes and severe weather events this past July, damaged trees, homes and left many without power for several days. Installation of conduit caused numerous gas leaks requiring the evacuation of homes and businesses. These and many other types of disasters can occur at anytime, anywhere, with no or very little warning. That’s why preparedness is so important.
The U.S Department of Homeland Security has declared September as “National Preparedness Month”.
The goal of “National Preparedness Month” is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks and to encourage individuals to take action to prepare themselves and their families.
During September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security along with the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency, urges everyone to take some simple steps to make themselves and their families better prepared for emergencies. These include:
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.
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.
Be Informed – Learn more about different threats that could affect your community and appropriate responses to them.
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.
Marshall County Emergnecy Management Director, Clyde Avery said “ Disaster Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility!”
For more information about the types of events that can occur in Marshall County or how to develop an emergency plan or kit, contact the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency at 936-3740.
