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September 9th was Ready North Carolina Day, which officially launched the Ready North Carolina campaign. Ready North Carolina is part of a nationwide effort to promote preparedness of all of our nation’s citizens in our homes, businesses, and schools.
Throughout North Carolina , local Citizen Corps Councils, Community Emergency Response Teams, American Red Cross chapters, schools and other civic groups and businesses are working with your communities to ensure everyone is prepared in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.
As North Carolinians , we are very experienced in responding to emergencies including hurricanes, winter storms, power outages, floods and more. This puts us in an excellent position to prepare for manmade disasters because so much of the preparation is the same.
Make the time this month to ensure that you and your family are prepared for any type of emergency. This is an excellent time to make these arrangements because we are heading into the most active part of the hurricane season, and winter – with its ice storms and snowfall – is just around the corner. No matter causes the emergency, you need to be prepared:
Have a plan for what you and your family will do during an emergency, including travel routes, safe locations, and care for your pets.
Prepare a kit of food, water and emergency supplies that is available in the event that you lose power or must leave your home.
Be informed about what might happen during each type of emergency. For more information about specific types of emergencies and how to prepare, visit these Web sites:
N.C. Dept. Health and Human Services:
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/docs/hurricane.htm
N.C. Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety:
http://www.nccrimecontrol.org
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security:
http://www.ready.gov
Please take the time today to read through these very useful materials from the North Carolina Division of Public Health. Whether preparing for a bioterrorist attack or a natural disaster, we must do all that is possible to ensure that our families remain safe and secure.
Sincerely,
Carmen Hooker Odom, Secretary
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
The Rutherford Polk McDowell District Health Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.
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