Tag: disasters

Prepare Today to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Disaster

September 8, 2025

Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998

Prepare Today to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Disaster
Central Shenandoah Health District Supports National Preparedness Month

STAUNTON, Va. – It is important to plan ahead so you are ready before a disaster happens. September is National Preparedness Month, which is all about getting ready for emergencies. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) wants you to make a plan, put together an emergency kit or “go bag,” and use easy, low-cost ideas to get ready.

“Emergencies don’t happen on a schedule, they don’t happen when it’s convenient, and they don’t tell you when they’re coming,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. “Preparedness month is a great time for you to create an emergency plan for you and your family, so that when an emergency does happen, you’re not caught off guard.”

Talking with your family and friends about being prepared is the first step. Even though it can be hard to talk about disasters, planning ahead will help you and your community be ready. Here are some tips to get started:

  • Choose a time when everyone feels comfortable talking about emergency plans.
  • You can have more than one conversation, so everyone feels good about the plan.
  • Share what you have done to get ready and ask others what works for them.

All year the Central Shenandoah Health District partners with the community to help keep you safe. We plan, work together, teach, and act quickly to handle any health emergency, like disease outbreaks or other dangers.

Disasters can happen and have serious impacts, so talking about them now helps keep your community safe. For more information on how to get ready for different emergencies, visit www.ready.gov.

Prepare Today to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Disaster

September 03, 2025
Media Contact: Dr Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov

Prepare Today to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Disaster
Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Supports National Preparedness Month

WARRENTON, Va. – It is important to plan ahead so you are ready before a disaster happens. This September is National Preparedness Month, which is all about getting ready for emergencies.  The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD) wants you to make a plan, put together an emergency kit or “go bag,” and use easy, low-cost ideas to get ready.

“Preparedness starts with each of us.” said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director J. Carr, MD. “I encourage every family to review your emergency plans, check your supplies, and stay connected to local alerts. By being ready today, we ensure that our entire community is stronger and safer tomorrow.”

Talking with your family and friends about being prepared is the first step. Even though it can be hard to talk about disasters, planning ahead will help you and your community be ready. Here are some tips to get started:

  • Choose a time when everyone feels comfortable to talk about emergency plans.
  • You can have more than one conversation, so everyone feels good about the plan.
  • Share what you have done to get ready and ask others what works for them.

Look for RRHD staff at community events in our health district for more information on preparedness and tips for what to include in your “go bag”.

All year the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District partners with the community to help keep you safe. We plan, work together, teach, and act quickly to handle any health emergency like disease outbreaks or other dangers.

Disasters can happen more often and be more serious, so talking about them now helps keep your community safe. For more information on how to get ready for different emergencies, visit www.ready.gov.

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Chesterfield Health District Encourages Preparedness for Disasters

September 5, 2025

Media Contact: Kristy Fowler
Kristy.Fowler@vdh.virginia.gov

Chesterfield Health District Encourages Preparedness for Disasters
National Preparedness Month tips for communication breakdown and floods

CHESTERFIELD, Va. – September is National Preparedness Month. Central Virginia and the Chesterfield Health District want to encourage everyone to take this time to plan for upcoming weather-related disasters. Tropical storms and hurricanes may still occur well into the year, so it’s wise to stay prepared and pay attention.

Overcoming communication barriers

“People depend on their cell phones for the convenience of saved phone numbers and addresses. It’s essential to prepare for inclement weather and power outages now by having all the numbers you need in one place in case you don’t have access to your phone. Additionally, I encourage everyone to print out a Family Emergency Communication Plan from Ready.gov and list your prescriptions with dosages for each family member,” said Fernando Tirado, Local Health Emergency Coordinator at the Chesterfield Health District. “Have a family meeting and discuss a plan for typical scenarios. Everyone should know where to meet, who to contact, and what to do.”

 

The Chesterfield Health District also wants people to know the difference between a weather watch and a warning. Tirado refers to the watch and warning theory as the “taco” analogy:

Weather Watch = Taco Ingredients Are Ready
Think of a weather watch like having all the ingredients for tacos laid out on the counter—tortillas, meat, cheese, salsa, etc. The conditions are favorable for tacos (or severe weather), but nothing has been assembled or cooked yet. It’s a heads-up to be prepared.

 

Weather Warning = Tacos Are Being Served
A weather warning means the tacos are fully assembled and ready to eat—just like severe weather is either happening or imminent. It’s time to act, not just prepare.

 

There are some great resources and technologies available on the internet and through smartphones. Start a Conversation, and the Children and Youth Preparedness Toolkit (Ready.gov) can assist in gathering information. Here is a listing of some of the local emergency alerts for weather-related threats in the area.

 

Tirado recommends everyone download three apps to their mobile device:

  • What Three Words: If you’re lost, you can use this app to look up the three words that represent your exact location. Then you give this information to emergency responders. This saves you from having to list lengthy longitude and latitude numbers that can get mixed up.
  • In Case of Emergency: Gives first responders access to your medical history on your mobile device. This is helpful if you are not responsive.
  • Zello: Group messaging platform that acts as a walkie-talkie. You can deliver messages to contacts you set up ahead of time. Avoid having to notify individuals of your status.

 

Finally, it’s a good idea to invest in a solar-powered charger so you can recharge your mobile device in a power outage.

 

Prepare for flooding

“Turn around, don’t drown” is a simple statement that is easy to remember. However, people may decide to travel through stormwater instead of going another way, which can lead to a false sense of security or confidence in their vehicle’s abilities. The road could be washed out, or the vehicle could stall out. Whether walking or driving in floodwater, it is hard to determine what dangers lie below water, whether it be potholes, debris, reptiles, or chemicals.

Tirado is all too familiar with the consequences of these storms. In 2012, he served in disaster recovery in Long Beach, New York. He was on the job for five days when Hurricane Sandy arrived, flooding the area. His office went for two weeks without water or electricity. Once he arrived at the office, there was a gas shortage. Then a snowstorm hit.

“The damage was extensive. Homes came off their foundations. People experienced mold issues. Basements flooded with insecticide, fertilizer, and automobile fluids. After two years, we were still working on recovery,” Tirado said.

Learn more about flood safety and how to prepare for emergencies by visiting Ready.gov.

 

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourages Everyone to Make a Plan in Honor of National Preparedness Month

September 9, 2024

Media Contact: RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov
804-807-1727

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourages Everyone to Make a Plan in Honor of National Preparedness Month

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts encourage the public to observe National Preparedness Month (NPH) this September by making a plan for emergencies.

“Emergency preparedness starts with a few simple, cost-free steps,” says Ed Porner, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts emergency preparedness and response coordinator. “Talk to your family, gather important information, and find out what your friends and neighbors will need. The more prepared we are as a community, the better we will fare.”

The theme of this year’s NPH is “Start a Conversation” The best way to begin the development of your family emergency plan is to start with a conversation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security advises that the best time to start talking about emergency preparedness is when everyone is calm and relaxed. Hold the discussions over a small time period so decisions aren’t rushed, and everyone can feel more comfortable talking about the topic. Ensure everyone has input and is on board! Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare in the past, things that have gone well (or not gone well) as a result of planning and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

Make sure your plan includes everyone! Consider supporting those in the community that might need your help, like an elderly neighbor or someone with a disability. Don’t forget to plan for your pets!

Ed Porner offers these tips to help you and your family stay prepared:

• Prepare your family AND your household. Disasters can happen unexpectedly and without warning. Hurricanes and storms may give us some time to gather things together, but fires, floods, and other disasters could give us only seconds to get to safety. Gather important documents like birth certificates, citizenship papers, or backup medical prescriptions and place them in a secure location close to an exit, preferably in a fireproof box.
• Talk openly with kids about preparedness. Talk with children often, honestly, and openly about the potential for emergencies while empowering them to take charge of their own preparedness. “Comfort items” for both kids and older adults should be an important part of an emergency kit – think a favorite toy or a keepsake that’s important to that person. Discussions should include procedures for reuniting if separated, trusted people in their lives that they can call, and how to access emergency services if they’re alone. Prepare with Pedro from Ready.gov is a fun resource that families can use to help kids think about preparedness.
• Meet your neighbors. Planning with your community in mind can help counteract some of the ways way age, income, or disabilities impact someone’s readiness for emergency situations. Have conversations about the needs your neighbors might have and what type of assistance they might need in an emergency.
• Practice your plan. Turn preparedness into a game like a treasure hunt for emergency kit items, or a car trip around the neighborhood highlighting meeting points of safe areas. Ready.gov has many more ideas.
• Learn more about preparedness at Ready.gov or VDH Severe Weather Preparedness.

Central Virginia Health District Receives National “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition to Help Protect the Community During Emergencies and Disasters

July 1, 2024
Media Contact: Kim Foster, Population Health Manager/PIO, kimberlee.foster@vdh.virginia.gov

Central Virginia Health District Receives National “Project Public Health Ready” Recognition to Help Protect the Community During Emergencies and Disasters

LYNCHBURG, Va.– Central Virginia Health District (CVHD) has been recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for its ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. The health district demonstrated these capabilities by meeting the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CVHD joins a cohort of more than 550 local health departments across the country that have been distinguished for excellence in preparedness through PPHR, either individually or as part of a region.

“I am proud that our health district meets the standards necessary to achieve this recognition. This honor is well-deserved because it reflects tremendous effort, dedication, creativity, and cooperation on the part of our Local Health Emergency Coordinator, Jason Blankenship, and members of our team who contributed their expertise.” said Dr. Kerry Gateley, Health District Director for CVHD.

PPHR recognition confirms that Central Virginia Health District has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place and that staff have the training to protect the health of the community during an emergency. Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review to assess their ability to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness. These standards align with federal government requirements and other national best practices.

“Public health preparedness planning, response, and recovery begins at the local level. Local health departments play an essential role in creating healthy, resilient communities that can respond to and recover from disasters.” said Lori T. Freeman, Chief Executive Officer. “NACCHO commends Central Virginia Health District for being a model of public health emergency preparedness.”

NACCHO, the voice of the nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country, provides resources to help local health department leaders develop public health policies and programs to ensure that communities have access to vital programs and services that people need to keep them protected from disease and disaster. Its mission is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.
For more information on Project Public Health Ready, including recognized sites, project tools, and resources, visit http://www.naccho.org/PPHR.

New River Health District Announces Efforts During National Preparedness Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 11, 2023

Media Contact: Beverly Hill, M.Ed.,
Public Health Emergency and Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator,
New River Health District, beverly.hill@vdh.virginia.gov

New River Health District Announces Efforts During National Preparedness Month
The annual designation focuses on preparing older adults for disasters

Christiansburg, Va. – September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) annual preparedness outreach event sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign. The New River Health District has committed to participate in NPM to increase preparedness in the community by offering educational resources to the public, providing training opportunities to local health department staff and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers, and providing Stop the Bleed training to community members across the district.

This year, National Preparedness Month will focus on preparing older adults for disasters. Older adults have specific needs during a disaster, specifically those who are disproportionately affected by all hazards. Older adults face greater risks associated with disasters, especially those who live in rural areas, live alone, are low-income, or have a disability. National Preparedness Month is a perfect time to create or review your own emergency plans, or those for our parents, grandparents, and elderly friends and neighbors.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility that takes the Whole Community.  Learn ways you can take action by visiting www.ready.gov/older-adults and Ready.gov/prepare. 

“The importance of preparedness cannot be overstated. Outcomes are far better with these simple measures on the front end versus picking up the pieces on the back end,” said Dr. Noelle Bissell, Health Director for New River Health District.

For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov/September.