September 9, 2024
Media Contact: RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov
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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Encourages Everyone to Make a Plan in Honor of National Preparedness Month
RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts encourage the public to observe National Preparedness Month (NPH) this September by making a plan for emergencies.
“Emergency preparedness starts with a few simple, cost-free steps,” says Ed Porner, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts emergency preparedness and response coordinator. “Talk to your family, gather important information, and find out what your friends and neighbors will need. The more prepared we are as a community, the better we will fare.”
The theme of this year’s NPH is “Start a Conversation” The best way to begin the development of your family emergency plan is to start with a conversation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security advises that the best time to start talking about emergency preparedness is when everyone is calm and relaxed. Hold the discussions over a small time period so decisions aren’t rushed, and everyone can feel more comfortable talking about the topic. Ensure everyone has input and is on board! Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare in the past, things that have gone well (or not gone well) as a result of planning and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.
Make sure your plan includes everyone! Consider supporting those in the community that might need your help, like an elderly neighbor or someone with a disability. Don’t forget to plan for your pets!
Ed Porner offers these tips to help you and your family stay prepared:
• Prepare your family AND your household. Disasters can happen unexpectedly and without warning. Hurricanes and storms may give us some time to gather things together, but fires, floods, and other disasters could give us only seconds to get to safety. Gather important documents like birth certificates, citizenship papers, or backup medical prescriptions and place them in a secure location close to an exit, preferably in a fireproof box.
• Talk openly with kids about preparedness. Talk with children often, honestly, and openly about the potential for emergencies while empowering them to take charge of their own preparedness. “Comfort items” for both kids and older adults should be an important part of an emergency kit – think a favorite toy or a keepsake that’s important to that person. Discussions should include procedures for reuniting if separated, trusted people in their lives that they can call, and how to access emergency services if they’re alone. Prepare with Pedro from Ready.gov is a fun resource that families can use to help kids think about preparedness.
• Meet your neighbors. Planning with your community in mind can help counteract some of the ways way age, income, or disabilities impact someone’s readiness for emergency situations. Have conversations about the needs your neighbors might have and what type of assistance they might need in an emergency.
• Practice your plan. Turn preparedness into a game like a treasure hunt for emergency kit items, or a car trip around the neighborhood highlighting meeting points of safe areas. Ready.gov has many more ideas.
• Learn more about preparedness at Ready.gov or VDH Severe Weather Preparedness.