Are You Prepared?

Since 2004, September has been observed as National Preparedness Month.

Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and The Department of Homeland Security, the need for a National Preparedness Month started after the September 11, 2001 attacks as the tragedies of that day highlighted the importance for U.S. citizens to make their own survival preparations in the event of a disaster.

Not ready

A survey by Citizen Corps National revealed that only 57 percent of Americans have supplies set aside in their homes just for disasters, and only 44 percent have a household emergency plan. Clearly, we need to do better in taking the necessary steps to keep our nation and ourselves safe from all types of disasters.

Disasters come in many forms: Terrorist attacks, Biological and Chemical Accidents, Radiation Emergencies, Hurricanes, Extreme Heat, and Disease Outbreaks. However, the damaging effects of disasters can be lessened by taking small steps to be prepared.

You can get a great start on being prepared by putting together an emergency kit, making an emergency plan and being informed.

An emergency supply kit should contain everything you need in the event that you will be without fresh water, food and electricity for an extended period of time. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) webpage on emergency kits to make sure you have the appropriate supplies.

Making an emergency plan is as simple as getting together with friends and family and putting together a contact list in case of an emergency, and where you will likely take refuge in the event of a disaster.

Most importantly, you should know how to stay informed during the event of an emergency. Subscribe to an emergency alert system if there is one in your area. Your local emergency management or emergency services office can provide information on things such as open shelters and evacuation orders, so know where they will provide this information. The CDC continually posts updates on outbreaks and incidents, and lists emergency resources for the general public as well as clinicians and public health officials.

Griffin can help

Griffin Hospital is doing its part to help the community be prepared by offering free information about disaster preparedness.

The hospital is heavily involved in emergency preparedness for the region and state, and is dedicated to helping its neighbors be prepared.

Griffin Hospital’s Community Health Resource Center is offering a free program about disaster preparedness Friday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m. Joseph Burnett, Griffin Hospital Employee Safety & Health Safety Manager, and Emergency Management and EMS Coordinator, will host “Be Disaster Aware --- Take Time to Prepare,” a free discussion about creating a personal preparedness plan to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event of a disaster.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203.732.7399.

In addition, you can visit Griffin’s Emergency Preparedness webpage for on-going emergency preparedness information or contact Burnett at jburnett@griffinhealth.org.