Proudly providing resilience education and training in the Shenandoah Valley since 2000.
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News & tips for being ready
before, during, and after emergencies.
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No Napping Yet!
Get Your Pets Ready for Summer First
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The lazy days of summer may mean extra cat naps and fun in the sun, but before you plan that much-anticipated vacation, make a few plans for your furry friends too.
June is Pet Preparedness Month, a time when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the
Ready Campaign
promote
pet safety and preparedness to ensure every member of the family is ready for inclement weather, including the summer heat. Knowing the hazards, creating an emergency plan, and packing an emergency kit can help everyone, including our pets, survive a disaster.
Pet owners can download
Preparing Makes Sense for Pet Owners
for more information on what to include in your pet’s emergency plan and their go-kit.
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What about residents with livestock? The CSPDC region is one of the largest agriculture producers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as home to many hobby or personal farming endeavors. For tips on how to keep livestock safe during an emergency, check out the Humane Society’s
Disaster Preparedness for Farm Animals
.
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The Most Deadly Hazard May Suprise You
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Turns out the dangers present during the time of year most of us associate with vacations and outdoor fun are statistically the deadliest. Did you know that according
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (
NOAA
),
there were 108 heat-related fatalities in 2018?
Heat also holds the highest 10-year average of 101 fatalities, and the highest 30-year average of any hazard at 136 fatalities.
Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat, especially if they become over-exposed or over-exercise. Pets are frequent fatalities as well, and it only takes minutes for heat to harm them. #BeatTheHeat with safety tips at
ready.gov/heat.
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Yes, Virginia is Drought Vulnerable Too
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When you think drought, Virginia may not be the first state to come to mind, but the Commonwealth is no stranger to drought conditions. Since the
U.S. Drought Monitor
was started in 2002, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in Virginia lasted 103 weeks beginning on May 1, 2007 and ending on April 14, 2009.
The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 20, 2002 where D4 affected 30.53% of Virginia land.
Drought can cause a lot more than economic damage too. It ramps up a myriad of health issues from producing more stress and anxiety to increasing diseases caused by insects and fungus to causing wildfires, dust storms, and intensified heatwaves. Read more about
Drought and Your Health
and grab some
Red Cross Drought Preparedness tips
for conserving water and being more resilient if drought comes our way.
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Community Resiliency Achievements & Announcements
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CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team, and for the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro CERT, community is not just a part of the name, it is central to the group’s mission.
Since 2003, SAW CERT members have actively volunteered in their communities to educate, improve safety, and increase resiliency, and this year has been no exception! Here are just a few of recent CERT accomplishments:
- The core activity of SAW CERT is the basic CERT training course. This seven-week course was offered to the community in the Fall of 2018 and the Spring of 2019.
- CERT volunteers assisted with community preparedness and mitigation education at events including “Touch-a-Truck” sponsored by Augusta County Fire-Rescue, the Dooms Fire Department’s Kids Fun Day, and the Green Valley Book Fair’s Safety Day.
- CERT volunteers also assisted Augusta County Fire-Rescue this year to install free smoke alarms in mobile homes and at mobile home parks throughout the County.
If you want to be a part of this community-driven team, contact Rebecca Joyce at 540-885-5174 or
[email protected]
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