CRATER HEALTH DISTRICT PROMOTES NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

September 16, 2015

(Petersburg, Va.) – The Crater District Health Departments promote National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme, “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today,” encourages families and individuals to take action now. Families and individuals can take action by making a plan to stay safe and communicate with their community, their family and their pets during an emergency. Throughout the month of September, there will be weekly themes related to emergency preparedness. The themes are flood, wildfire, hurricane, power outage, and the month ends with America’s PrepareAthon. Hosted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), America’s PrepareAthon is a grassroots campaign for action to increase community preparedness and resilience. More information about the campaign can be found here http://www.community.fema.gov/.

Here are some tips to prepare for this week’s theme- hurricane.

  1. Plan to secure your property including any boats.
  2. Create disaster plan kit or emergency supply Bag.
  3. Create a family emergency communication plan.
  4. Install Clips and straps to secure your roof.
  5. Trim shrubs or trees around the home.
  6. Clear rain gutters and downspouts.
  7. Know the hurricane evacuation route.

To practice our preparedness and response during an emergency, Crater Health District will be conducting an exercise providing mass flu vaccinations in Prince George County on October 31, 2015. “Emergencies happen, and they happen without warning. It is important for everyone to have a plan in place before an emergency occurs. Crater Health District is practicing our plan for an emergency so that we can assist the communities we serve efficiently and effectively during an emergency event,” said Deborah Whitacre, Crater Health District Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager.

For more information about emergency preparedness, visit 2015 National Preparedness Month (NPM) | Ready.govor South Central Virginia Medical Reserve Corps and Crater Health District on Facebook. Also, you can visit craterhd.net or call 804-863-1652.