“Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.” That’s the theme of this year’s National Preparedness Month, recognized each September. Cherokee County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA), along with FEMA and GEMA, encourage the public to be prepared in case any disaster hits.
“When disaster strikes we need to be prepared to take care of ourselves for at least 72 hours,” said Cherokee EMA Director Craig Millsap. “A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Local officials and relief workers may not be able to help everyone immediately after a disaster so it is recommended that you have your own food, water and supplies. National Preparedness Month reminds us to build a kit or update the one we already have.”
According to Cherokee EMA, tornadoes, floods and fires could affect residents with little or no notice. Residents should be prepared to take care of themselves and those they care about until help can arrive. The best time to plan and assemble an emergency preparedness kit is right now.
Residents should make an emergency plan for at home or when they are on the go. People also are encouraged to use a buddy system with nearby families, to help and support one another in the case of extreme emergencies.
Cherokee EMA will provide information on creating a basic disaster supplies kit that people can use to assemble their supplies and provide detailed guidance on where to store kits so they can be easily found and quickly moved in case a disaster strikes.
Additional preparedness information will be posted on the EMA website at www.cherokeega-ema.org.
“Individuals and families must be prepared to assume a role in personal health and safety emergency preparedness,” Millsap said. “Citizens must ask themselves, do we have plans for where to meet our family if our home is destroyed? Do we have a list of important personal information, including medical information, for every family member? Your health, and the health of your loved ones, could very well depend on your kit and your plan if there is a major disaster.”
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