September Is National Preparedness Month — Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today

The Frederick County Division of Emergency Management, along with its preparedness partners, announces that September 1st marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month. County Executive Jan Gardner will kick-off Preparedness Month with a proclamation ceremony at 11 a.m. on September 6 at Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland.

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America campaign, is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action to prepare for emergencies.

Now is the perfect time for businesses and residents alike to do their part to keep their
communities safe by preparing for emergencies and developing practical responses before disasters strike. Citizens can build more resilient communities by working with their families, friends, and coworkers on how to better protect themselves by reviewing their preparedness plans and updating their disaster supply kits.

The best time to prepare is well before something happens. As with any emergency, citizens should have a kit, a plan and know where to find local information.

1. Make a kit. Include a three to seven-day supply of water for each individual in a
   household and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods. Don’t forget a manual can opener, battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries and change of clothing. The kit should also have a first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription medications and copies of important documents.
2. Make a plan and discuss it with family members. Identify two meeting places — one near home, and one outside the area in case it’s not possible to return home. Make plans for pets. Select an out-of-area emergency contact person.
3. Be informed of the weather-related hazards. Residents are strongly encouraged to
   register to receive emergency information from ALERT Frederick County at
   www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ALERT. Emergency messages are also broadcast on WFMD 930 AM, WFRE 99.9 FM, WAFY 103.1 FM, Frederick County Government cable channel 19, Frederick County Public Schools cable channel 18, municipal government cable channel 99 (where available) and NBC 25 WHAG TV.
4. Get involved with the community and understand the importance of community preparedness. Get to know residential and business neighbors. Emergencies won’t seem as devastating when there is a support system in place.

For more information on preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and hazards, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/READY. The Department of Emergency Preparedness can be contacted at 301-600-1746 or EM@FrederickCountyMD.gov.