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Proudly providing resilience education and training in the Shenandoah Valley since 2000.
Resiliency Digest

September 2022

News & tips for being ready
before, during, and after emergencies.
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National Preparedness Month - #BeReady


The life you’ve built is worth protecting.

Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. 

“Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy.” 

- Max Mayfield, Director National Hurricane Center

Important Things to Know Before Disaster Strikes

Natural and man-made disasters can strike at any time and without much notice. It's important to have a planned response whether you're at home, at work, or out in the community. Here are some things to know BEFORE an emergency occurs! 

Know How to Shut Off Utilities

  • Natural gas - call the gas company for proper shutoff procedures, then make sure household members know what to do. 
  • Water - protecting and preserving water can become critical during disasters. Find and ensure your water cutoff is functioning.
  • Electric - locate you electrical circuit box. For your safety, always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit.
More Home Tips

Know Your Emergency Communication Plan

When a disaster occurs, your family may not be together and communication channels may fail. Planning how you will stay in touch can avoid unnecessary panic and provide peace of mind when faced with an emergency.

Communication Plan Checklist (multiple languages)

Know Your Insurance Coverage

Do your insurance policies cover the hazards you may face? Preparedness Month is a great time to document and make sure your property is ready to weather a disaster. 

Property & Insurance Guide 

Know the Plan for Your Pets

Each day your pets depend on you for their safety and wellness, and your care is even more important when disasters occur. Your family’s disaster plan should include your furry family members too!

Pets and Disaster Checklist 

Know How to Find Shelter

Finding shelter is critical in times of disaster. Shelter outside of the hazard area could include staying with family or friends, seeking a hotel room, or staying in a mass shelter. Click the link below to review and make note of resources that can help you find an emergency shelter. 

Emergency Shelter Resources

More Preparedness Skills - Just in Case

You Are the Help Until Help Arrives

According to the Center for Disease Control, trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans under age 45. Life-threatening injuries require immediate action to prevent an injured person from dying, and during a disaster, first responsers may not be able to provide immediate care. 


First care focuses on five essential actions:

  1. Call 911
  2. Stay Safe
  3. Stop the Bleeding
  4. Position the Injured
  5. Provide Comfort


Why not take this web-based training to make sure you are able to be the help until help arrives? 

Web-Based Training

Business Preparedness

Does your business or workplace have a disaster preparedness plan? The Ready Business program provides a series of toolkits to help business leaders prepare for emergencies and disasters. The Small Business Administration points out that 25% of businesses won't open again after a disaster, so having a plan in place can better position your business to recover and reopen as quickly as possible. 

SBA Business Prep Tips
Community Resiliency Achievements & Announcements

September is National Preparedness Month. This year the theme is “A Lasting Legacy: The life you’ve built is worth protecting." We have all heard the messaging to “build a kit and make a plan.” Being prepared to “weather the storm” is critical, but it is also important to think about your legacy and how it can disappear in an instant when severe weather, flooding, or tornadoes strike. In my twenty-five years of helping people recover from and mitigate disasters, it is not possessions that people regret losing the most, it is memories – wedding photos, grandmother’s famous cake recipe, or a child’s drawing. These are the irreplaceable things people lose in a disaster. Yes, National Preparedness Month is a time to check on our emergency plans and stock-up on supplies. But this year, also take a minute to think about what part of your legacy is especially dear to you and put safeguards in place to protect it. 

Fall CERT Course Set 


The next basic CERT training course will start in September 2022. For additional information, please contact Rebecca Joyce at rebecca@cspdc.org or 540.885.5174 ext. 112.

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]  [rebecca@cspdc.org]  [www.cspdc.org]
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