Proudly providing resilience education and training in the Shenandoah Valley since 2000.
Resiliency Digest
January 2020
News & tips for being ready
before, during, and after emergencies.
#ResolvetobeReady
Why not skip the usual resolutions this year (that we never seem to keep anyway) and instead resolve to be prepared? Here are a few practical preparedness actions you can take with relative ease!

  • Make an emergency plan – who to contact, where to meet, what to bring
  • Learn CPR and first aid – check your local community college
  • Check your insurance and be financially ready
  • Have backup power and emergency supplies, including cash
  • Know your neighbors
  • Be tech and text ready
  • Set up text groups in advance
  • Download the FEMA app
  • Take photos
  • You and your pet in case you get separated
  • Important documents
  • Property for insurance purposes
Don’t Get Careless with Heating Sources 

Did you know that heating is the 2nd leading cause of home fires after cooking? Taking a small amount of time to inspect, test, and monitor your heating sources regularly may just save you and your family. Here are some excellent reminders!

  • Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
  •  Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year.
  • Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or space heaters.
  • Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
  • Never use an oven to heat your home.
  • Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
 
Get the Kids Involved
Ready.gov has a ton of fun games and resources to help kids feel prepared not scared when an emergency occurs. Teach them with fun games and resources available for FREE at https://www.ready.gov/kids/kids .
Preparedness for Your Fur Babies
Remember to include your pets in your readiness planning – they depend on you! Check out this video for ideas on keeping them safe. 
Community Resiliency Achievements & Announcements
In 2020, Shenandoah Valley Project Impact (SVPI) celebrates twenty years of creating resiliency and disaster resistance in the Central Shenandoah Region. In 2000, the Region was designated a Project Impact Community by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and received a two-year grant. SVPI became the Citizen Corps Council for the Region in January 2003. In September 2003, SVPI launched the Region’s Community Emergency Response Team program. This year the Resiliency Digest will be highlighting some of SVPI’s accomplishments over the past two decades and where it is headed in the future, so stay tuned. Happy 20 th Birthday, Project Impact and a big thank you to all of you that have been involved!
For additional resources to help protect yourself, loved ones, and property, visit the National Weather Service, Ready.gov , U.S. Fire Administration , and the National Safety Council .  
[540.885. 5174]  [[email protected]]  [www.cspdc.org]