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Since
you never know when or where a disaster can strike,
emergency managers say citizen preparedness is a topic
that’s always timely.
“Government
plays a key role in managing emergencies when they
happen, but the public is our partner in this effort,”
aid Commission Chairman Rory Reid. “The basics of
emergency preparedness begin at home with making sure
you have supplies on hand in case disaster strikes, and
a plan in place for connecting with your family
members.”
The
role of government in an emergency is to organize a
coordinated response to address the most pressing public
safety needs first. Experts say much of our
community’s success in dealing with any emergency lies
with citizen preparedness. The efforts you take before
a disaster occurs will help ensure the safety of
yourself, your family and even your neighbors.
Emergency
mangers suggest three main preparedness steps: Get a
kit. Make a plan. Be informed. These are summarized
below:
1.
Get a disaster supply kit. The kit should
contain items for you and your family’s basic needs
for at least three days, including food and water. A
week’s worth of supplies is even better.
Plan for your family’s unique needs such as
supplies for infants, medically fragile, and pets.
2.
Create an emergency plan. Family members
may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it’s
important to plan in advance how you will connect with
one another. Choose a primary and secondary
meeting place in case an emergency impacts your
home or neighborhood, and designate an out-of-state
contact for family members to call in the event they are
separated. In an emergency situation, it’s often
easier to call out-of-state than within an affected
area.
3.
Be informed. In an emergency, stay tuned
to your radio or TV for instructions and information.
Have a hand-powered radio on hand in case of a power
outage. Battery-operated radios are only as good as the
freshness of your battery supply. Here’s a link to a
radio the American Red Cross recommends: https://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=39&Page=1&StartAtPage=1&SId=154030&LocationId=0
It’s
also important to learn about the emergencies that can
happen in our area and how to respond to them. Hazards
we are most vulnerable to in Clark County include
communicable disease, wildfire, flooding, earthquake and
extreme heat.
You
can find a lot of information about preparedness on
Clark County’s Web site, www.accessclarkcounty.com,
via the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland
Security. Another excellent source for information is
the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.
The
Southern Nevada Health District is focusing on flu as
part of Emergency Preparedness Month. Getting a flu shot
each fall is recommended as a good health-care measure.
More information is available on the Health District’s
Web site at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.
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