National Preparedness Month: Are you ready for an emergency?

As the dog days of summer start coming to a close, September marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month – an important time dedicated to raising awareness about preparing for emergencies. This annual campaign, spearheaded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), encourages individuals, families and whole communities to take proactive steps to ensure they are ready for a variety of disasters.

Established in 2004, National Preparedness Month highlights the significance of being prepared for emergencies whether natural or man-made. From tornadoes and flooding to blizzards and pandemics, National Preparedness Month emphasizes that disasters can strike at anytime and in any place. Preparation is key to protecting ourselves, family members, friends and neighbors.

Recent events have shown that disasters can occur with little or no warning. In Putnam County and beyond, we’ve seen how quickly lives can be upended by severe weather, public health emergencies and other crises. Being adequately prepared can make a significant difference in how our community responds and recovers.

There are a few easy steps you can take to help prepare your household:

1) Create an Emergency Plan – every household should have a plan that outlines what to do in case of an emergency. This includes identifying evacuation routes, choosing a meeting place and knowing how to communicate with each other if separated. Make sure children have addresses and phone numbers memorized, not just saved in a cell phone.

2) Build an Emergency Kit – compile essential items such as water, non-perishable food, necessary medications, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit. Include important documents like copies of vital records, financial information, insurance information and other identifying documents that may be difficult to obtain during an emergency. Don’t forget to add-in any special items for infants, elderly family members and your pets!

3) Stay Informed – Sign up for news and weather alerts. Have a battery-powered or hand crank weather radio on hand. Follow local emergency response agencies social media accounts for important updates.

4) Get Involved – Community involvement is crucial. Participate in local emergency preparedness events and spread the word with your family and friends about the importance of being prepared. Join an emergency response team: American Red Cross chapters, Medical Reserve Corps and locally the Putnam County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) are always looking for new volunteers. These organizations provide tons of FREE training to help protect you and your family.

5) Practice and Review – Preparedness is not a one-time effort. Regularly update and practice your family’s emergency plan with all household members. Replenish your emergency kit as items expire. Review your documents and update them at life events happen.

There are no one-size fits all approaches to preparedness. Customize your plans and kits to your family’s needs. While there are tons of pre-stocked “emergency kits” available for purchase online, they are often costly and may not be supplied appropriately for you. A lot of items useful in an emergency kit can be purchased at a dollar store.

For more details and resources, visit FEMA’s Ready.gov website. As we observe National Preparedness Month, let’s commit to being ready for whatever tomorrow may bring. By planning, staying informed and getting involved, we can all make Putnam County a safer and more resilient community.

We’re putting your Health First Putnam County! This article is the next in a series of public health education efforts being made by the Putnam County Health Department. We hope you find this information helpful!

Our office is located at 1542 S. Bloomington St. Suite 1500 Greencastle (located inside the hospital in the medical office building, first door on the right). Regular office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. closed from noon-1 p.m. for lunch. Visit our website at www.IN.gov/localhealth/putnamcounty or our Facebook page at facebook.com/PCHDIndiana, you can also contact the office at 653-0203.