Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today

National Preparedness Month Launches September 1, 2015

SALISBURY, MD –September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), and the Wicomico County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services encourages everyone to make disaster preparedness a priority.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2015 NPM theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”  Each week will focus on a different type of emergency and how you and your family can prepare. Information on local emergency planning efforts and resources will also be made available to the community.

“Wicomico County is excited to participate once again in this national initiative. Our goal is to encourage everyone in Wicomico County to take part, make a plan and know what to do during an emergency. This means having an up-to-date contact list for those you may need to reach during a disaster and establishing alternate methods of communication in case traditional means are not available,” said Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County.

Throughout the month, Wicomico County Health Department will offer tips from FEMA to help you be disaster ready, including ways you can stay safe during a disaster and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.  

NPM Weekly Themes:

Week 1: September 1-5     Flood

Week 2: September 6-12   Wildfire

Week 3: September 13-19 Hurricane

Week 4: September 20-26 Power Outage  

Week 5: September 27-30 Lead up to National PrepareAthon! Day (September 30)

 “This month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said Dave Shipley, Director of the Department of Emergency Services for Wicomico County. “Make preparedness manageable by taking one step at a time. 

Learn your risks, gather supplies for an emergency kit, and develop a family communications plan. By taking these small, but critical, steps, over time you and your family can be prepared for disasters.” 

For more details about National Preparedness Month, visit: www.ready.gov/september. #NatlPrep

To learn more about preparedness activities in Wicomico County, residents can visit the county website at:http://www.wicomicocounty.org/133/Emergency-Services.