Home > Fact of the Week > Resolve ot Be Ready
 
12-28-2009
Preparedness Facts of the Week
by Elizabeth Hall, Emergency Response Assistant
Kings County Office of Emergency Management
 
  In 2010
Resolve to be Ready
  
  Planning is a daily part of our routine. We plan our holiday activities, weekend activities and grocery store visits. We plan our children’s schedules and daily tasks. And, without a doubt, endless lists often follow. There is one particular list that deserves to be checked twice – and it’s not your holiday shopping list. We’re talking about reviewing your emergency preparedness checklist and developing an emergency preparedness plan for your family.

As the New Year approaches, the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign is encouraging everyone to Resolve to be Ready in 2010. While nearly 50 percent of Americans make New Year's Eve resolutions, very few manage to keep them, but this is one resolution that can be easy to keep with Ready’s three simple steps:
    1. Get an emergency supply kit.
    2. Make a family emergency plan.
    3. Be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur in your area
      and their appropriate responses.

 
     
 

The Ready Campaign encourages you to take a few extra minutes at the beginning of this new year to plan in case of an emergency. Consider the following questions: Have you spoken to your children’s schools about their shelter-in-place and/or evacuation plans?; Do you know the evacuation plan at work?; If your cell phone was inoperable how would you get in touch with your family?; Do you have a family meeting place and an out-of-town contact? These are just a few of the questions you should consider as you are developing your emergency plan.

Free preparedness resources, such as a Family Emergency Plan template and an Emergency Supply Kit Checklist are just a click away at www.Ready.gov or www.listo.gov. The Ready Web site also has a special section for kids, ages 8-12, (Ready Kids) and small- to medium-sized businesses (Ready Business). Be sure to check it out – print out your emergency plan template and emergency supply kit list and begin planning with your family today.

Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives. Remember, Now’s the Time. Resolve to be Ready in 2010.

To help everyone take these steps to get prepared, your Kings County Office of Emergency Management is proud to be a part of information sharing that you need to help plan your successful emergency plan.

We encourage you to visit www.ready.gov to learn how to prepare your family, home and business for all types of emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The Web site offers free downloadable resources, including family emergency plan templates and sample business continuity plans and provides you with tools to make a New Year’s resolution that will bring you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Wishing you a happy and safe New Year, and remember…

Now's the time to begin - Resolve to Be Ready in 2010!

  
 
Do your part for safety awareness by passing this information along to anyone you can think of who would benefit.

 Be Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!

Your Emergency Preparedness Team Sabrina Bustamante & Elizabeth Hall
Office of Emergency Management
280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634
www.kingscountyoem.com
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