Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. There are floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes and a number of other major events that can wreak havoc on our homes and communities. All of them are different and hard to predict, but there is one thing of which we can be certain: When you prepare for these emergencies, you can respond to them in a safe and effective manner.
This is the message being promoted throughout September by Macomb County Emergency Management. The reason? It’s National Preparedness Month, a country-wide campaign which encourages emergency planning for families and communities.
For 2019, the theme is “Prepared, Not Scared” and messages will promote ways you can ready yourself for disasters. Some of those include:
- Steps to make an emergency plan
- How to financially prepare for a disaster
- How young people can be ready for emergencies
- Ways you can get involved in your community’s preparedness
All of these themes are extremely important and educating yourself in each area will help you and your family in the event of an emergency.
“Emergency preparedness should be top of mind for every American,” says National Preparedness Month Development Officer, Michelle Hillman. “For families with kids in the home, it’s especially important. This campaign will continue to empower families to have peace-of-mind knowing their children know what to do in case of a disaster.”
To assist Macomb County Emergency Management in its promotion of National Preparedness Month, the department has launched its first-ever Facebook page. During September, the site will focus primarily on the “Prepared, Not Scared” content, but ultimately, the page will be an ongoing resource that gives followers updates on weather and other important local emergencies. Stay up-to-date here in Macomb County by liking the site and recommending it to family and friends.
Additionally, Emergency Management just recently released the newest edition of its Emergency Preparedness Guide. Access it in a digital format here and stay tuned for updates – as hard copies and copies available in languages other than English will be available soon.
If you have any additional questions about preparing for emergencies, visit the Macomb County Emergency Management page at https://oemc.macombgov.org/OEMC-Home. The department offers several resources, tips and documents that will help you and your family stay safe and respond to disasters effectively.
Megan Ochmanek is a communications specialist with Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.