September is National Preparedness Month in Washington State

Washington State is observing National Preparedness Month and NOAA Weather Radio Awareness Month this September. Special events and promotions are scheduled across the state to focus individuals and businesses on the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies.

These events include:
· State Capitol Campus Safety and Preparedness Fair, Sept. 11.
· A statewide Drop, Cover and Hold earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 16.
· Statewide “GETS” Card test on Sept. 24.
· Special retail promotions on Sept. 6 to encourage disaster preparedness and the use of all-hazard weather radios.
“Citizens, companies and governments agencies should review individual preparedness plans, contact information, and emergency kits” so they can be ready in the event of an emergency, said Gov. Chris Gregoire. These actions should enable citizens “to be self-sufficient for a minimum of three days following an act of terrorism, natural or man-made disasters.”

Everyone knows that they need to get prepared but the magnitude of the process can be overwhelming. How can we manage to do it all? Preparedness month information materials including current H1N1 Flu information, Drop, Cover, Hold drill instructions and 72-hour comfort kit fact sheets are all available from the Washington Emergency Management Division web site. The web site also includes a list of additional preparedness events to be held around the state as well a plethora of information to help you prepare for emergencies and disasters.

This website even provides an Action Plan that will help you to take the first steps now and plan to be totally ready in 1 year. Doing something is always better than doing nothing and people with good preparations in place for their home life will always find it easier to manage coming to work or staying at work if a disaster strikes.

A NOAA Weather Radio is an important preparedness tool for all. The radios are personal all-hazard warning systems. They help protect lives and property with a warning alarm feature that activates for immediate life-threatening events such as windstorms, tsunamis and hazardous materials releases. The goal of the Weather Radio campaign is to make All-Hazard Weather Radios as common and necessary as smoke detectors in the home, workplace and classroom. Special retail weather radio promotions will be offered September 26 in multiple locations.

Preparedness is not a new topic and sometimes we may be feeling like we’ve got our own plans and supplies in order and therefore when a disaster strikes all will be well. Most immediate assistance during a disaster comes from citizens themselves as emergency responders will be stretched beyond their ability to be there for all who need them. If you have an interest in being prepared to assist your family and others, the Citizen Corps provides options for you. The Citizen Corps partner programs give citizens the opportunity to get involved and enhance the capabilities of first responders through the use of volunteers. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic response skills.

We’ve given you the tools – it’s now up to you. Are you ready for work today?