Joining National Preparedness Month
I’m proud to announce that we here at
West Virginia VOAD
have joined
FEMA
and countless other organizations in preparing for emergencies throughout the month of September, which the President has proclaimed National Preparedness Month
(
NPM
)
.
NPM
is a time to for us all to prepare for emergencies and disasters.
If you’ve seen the news recently, you know that emergencies happen unexpectedly in communities just like ours, to people like us. It’s for that reason that we made the decision to join
NPM
this year and become more prepared to face an emergency. There are so many things that we can do to prepare. We’re making a conscious effort to help prepare our staff both here at the office and at home. By developing
an emergency plan with our families, communities, congregations, neighbors and co-workers, we can ensure that everyone knows what resources are available in an emergency and where to go if we need to evacuate. We can work as a team to make our communities, our neighborhoods and our own families safer.
But preparing goes beyond just making a kit and building a plan. The theme for National Preparedness Month this year is
“
Prepared, Not Scared. Be Ready for Disasters”
and asks citizens to take action now.
- Take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid
- Check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, earthquakes and tornadoes
- Educate and involve youth in preparedness
- Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency
- Know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas
As we here at WV VOAD
continue to prepare for an emergency, we encourage you to do the same. You never know where you’ll be when an emergency strikes, so prepare for it now. This month, watch for weekly notifications with practical tips to help you do just that!
Jenny Gannaway
Executive Director, WV VOAD
