Each September, a nationwide effort is made to encourage Americans to take
simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and
schools. During National Preparedness Month, federal, state, and local
governments, as well as non-profit organizations and voluntary agencies
implement information tools to educate the public about the importance of
individual and family preparedness.
A recent survey conducted by The Ad Council found that 91 percent of
respondents said it was very important or somewhat important for all
Americans to be prepared for emergencies, but only half of respondents said
they had an emergency supply kit. During the 2006 National Preparedness
Month, over 1,000 national, regional, and local organizations will be
working to ensure that 100 percent of Americans are ready.

With the threat of flooding from possible hurricanes and storms during the
remainder of this hurricane season, residents should take this time to form
a plan and make sure they are prepared for future emergency and disaster
situations. There are multiple resources available to individuals, families
and businesses from federal and state agencies. The Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency (PEMA) provides preparedness information online at
www.pema.state.pa.us and www.paflooding.state.pa.us. The PEMA web sites
provide updated local disaster news, links to local, state, and federal
Internet resources, and printable preparedness guides for your family or
business.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed the web site
www.ready.gov. The Ready web site provides helpful information about
disaster preparedness. It is a valuable resource that places the tools and
knowledge in a central location, accessible to all Americans. Residents
without Internet access can call 1-800-BE-READY (237-3239).

National Preparedness Month is a great opportunity to get your whole family
and community involved. DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) have free brochures and booklets available that cover different
aspects of disaster preparedness. Some of these materials can be printed
from the www.fema.gov web site. You can also order free copies of the
materials by calling 1-800-480-2520. There are several materials to choose
from that give detailed information about how to prepare for emergencies.
Below are two publications that give thorough information and can help you
on your path to preparedness:

Ø IS-22 Are You Ready: An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness

Ø Preparing Makes Sense: Get Ready Now

Get your kids involved in your preparation. DHS and FEMA have both developed
children-specific websites to help teach children of all ages about being
ready, by using games, age-specific activity guides, and other school or
family activities. On DHS’s www.ready.gov/kids, you can follow Rex the
Mountain Lion and his family as they prepare themselves and their friends
for disasters. FEMA’s www.fema.gov/kids has games and activities, and kids
can read about the experiences of other children that have been affected by
disasters. Both websites have links and resources for parents and teachers,
including printed materials that can be used at home or in schools.

Encourage your kids to take information to school, or volunteer your time at
the school, your community center, or a civic club to do a short
presentation about preparedness that can help your community. A valuable
resource that can help you reach out to your neighbors is Citizen Corps.
Citizen Corps helps people prepare, train, and volunteer in their
communities. Visit www.citizencorps.gov for more information.

Remember, there a few simple steps you can take that will help you be
prepared:

Ø Prepare a Disaster Kit:

o A disaster kit should have essential supplies needed to sustain
yourself and your family during and after a disaster; preferably for a
72-hour time period. The most essential supplies for a kit are water,
non-perishable food, a radio, a first aid kit, extra batteries, and unique
family needs such as prescription medications and important family
documents. You may need to sustain yourself for multiple days, so make sure
to have at least three gallons of water per person and plenty of
non-perishable food items.

Ø Make a Plan:

o Essential components should include a communication plan, an
out-of-town contact, an evacuation plan, a shelter-in-place plan, and
knowledge of emergency plans at work, school, and other areas of your
community. It’s also very important to have an established meeting place in
case you are separated before or during a disaster.

The communication plan is essential, especially in the event of evacuations,
and should include emergency numbers such as 9-1-1, cellular and land-line
phone numbers for in-town and out-of-town family and friends, and contact
information for shelters and hotels.

Ø Be Informed:

o Pay attention to updates from your local emergency management
agencies and news media. In the event of a disaster, listen to the advice of
these agencies. Stay tuned to local weather reports and keep abreast of road
closures and suspended government services such as school and government
agency closings.

Keep informed about all the different types of disasters that could affect
your home and community. Remember, some of the things you do to prepare are
the same for both natural and man-made disasters. To become more familiar
with how to react in an emergency, go to www.ready.gov or call
1-800-BE-READY (1-800-237-3239).

By making September your month to get ready, you can help yourself, your
family, and your neighbors be aware, be safe, and be prepared.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national
incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and
local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.
FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1,
2003.

Kathy Brooks
Potter County Dept of Emergency Services
24 Maple View Lane
Coudersport, PA 16915
814-274-8900 (voice)
814-274-8901 (fax)