In observance of September as National Preparedness Month, David Shipley, Director, Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services encourages you to prepare an emergency plan for your family. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Communities are vulnerable to any number of hazards or threatening situations. These can include incidents caused by natural disasters and man-made threats. The term “all hazard” is used to describe these potential situations that can impact you, your family, your home or our community. In the event of a disaster or emergency situation individuals and communities may need to be self-sufficient for some time until further assistance from the local, state, and/or federal agencies can be obtained. Preparing for “all hazards” requires knowing your risks and developing emergency plans to use during and after the situation. These efforts will help minimize the impact and protect your family, home, and community.
Risks to be prepared for include:
- Hurricane
- Flooding
- Wildfire
- Thunderstorm
- Heat Wave
- Winter Storm
- Tornado
You can begin by taking these steps:
- Be informed. Know the risks and hazards in your area and learn what you need to do to get ready for them.
- Make a family emergency plan: Know how you would communicate with and find your loved ones in a disaster. Do you know how to reach your children if they are in school or your spouse if they are at work? If you needed to evacuate, do you have a designated place to go?
- Build an emergency supply kit: You need these for the home and car. It should include water, food, and first aid supplies to help you survive if you lost power or were stranded in your car.
- Get Involved: Be an advocate and educator for safety and emergency preparedness within your community.
Further information about emergency preparedness topics may be obtained by visiting the Department of Emergency Services web page at www.wicomicocounty.org/ES or calling 410-548-4820.
