TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3 (OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA (INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.32 DATE: August 12, 2007
SUBJECT: HALF MARATHON, FINAL TOUCH UP
September is National Preparedness Month. This is a National Effort to encourage citizens to take very simple steps to prepare themselves, their families, and encourage their friends and co- workers to do also. The Department of Homeland Security will work with thousands of organizations across the nation to highlight the importance of self preparedness. They have recommended four aspects of preparedness.
1. GET A KIT - This is a box or bag of emergency items you need to sustain yourself and those family members for 72 hours. The kit should include water, flashlight and batteries, non- perishable food, blankets, battery powered radio, a first aid kit, and any personal hygiene items and medicines you may need. There are many internet sites on which you can get a complete listing on suggested kit supplies.
2. MAKE A PLAN - This is a plan to know where you and your family will meet if a disaster happens, any you have been evacuated. It is recommended to have two designated meeting spots, who to call for a common out-of-area contact, and have a list of current telephone numbers. In your planning, you may need to plan for having a prepaid phone card, know evacuation routes, know how and when to shut off utilities, plan for special medical needs, and plan for pets. Some shelters do not allow pets.
3. BE INFORMED - Know where your local Fire Department, Police Agency, and local EMS Agencies are located at, and how to contact them in the event of a disaster. You need to monitor local news affiliates, and know the NOAA all hazards weather station for your area. Get to know your work place and school disaster plans.
4. GET INVOLVED - Participate in your community or neighborhood by helping them prepare, protect, and recover from all hazards that effect everyone in the community.
All of these points are part of PREPAREDNESS and each is important in its own merit. Two other important elements of preparedness are ACCEPTANCE and BELIEF. Acceptance that disasters do happen, even here, and Belief that you have to b supporting for several days before you may get help. A disaster means that the event is so large that local agencies may be overwhelmed.
(Bulletin by Don Williams, N8NUS, WV Citizens Corps program Developer, WV Homeland Security Region 1)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Assistant Section Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator