Gadsden, AL-The month of September has been declared National Preparedness Month by the federal government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency encourages citizens to take this opportunity to better prepare for emergencies that may affect our community.
GECEMA Director, Deborah Gaither, states... “As teachers prepare their students for testing and parents prepare their children for life, there are other things we must be prepared for. Hazards, emergencies, and disasters are a few things we often put off. That is why we want to bring your attention to these situations during the month of September. We want to encourage you to prepare at home, work, school, church, and in your vehicle to respond if a situation becomes an emergency or a disaster. Take a few minutes and talk this through with your family, then act on being prepared. Your safety is your responsibility. Your actions could save your life, or the lives of those you love. Be Prepared!”
According to Ready.gov, the theme for this September is “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now, Learn How.” Follow along on social media using the hashtags #PrepareNow and #NatlPrep. Follow our campaign on Facebook and Twitter @GECEMA. The weekly themes for September 2018 are as follows:
Week 1- Make and Practice Your Plan!
- Plan, in advance, what your family will do in the event of an emergency
- Consider specific needs in your household
- Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area
Week 2-Learn Life Saving Skills!
- Get first aid training
- Join your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Make a kit of emergency supplies
- Learn how to protect your home against the impacts of disasters
Week 3- Check Your Insurance Coverage!
- Obtain insurance/review your existing policy
- Snap photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file a claim after a disaster
Week 4- Save For An Emergency!
- Gather financial and critical personal, household, and medical information
- Make digital copies of important documents and save them on the cloud or a secure cell phone app in case disaster strikes
- Keep cash on hand
For more information, contact the Gadsden/Etowah EMA at 256-549-4575.
