City Offers Steps To Personal Emergency Preparedness
The City of Raleigh is well prepared to respond in the event of an emergency and urges area residents to review their personal emergency response plans.
All need to be prepared in the event of a severe weather event such as a hurricane or tornado or a man-made disaster. Not only is it important for government agencies to be prepared for any emergency it is vital for all to be personally prepared. Studies show far too many households do not have disaster plans that aim to keep them self-sufficient for the first 72 hours following an emergency. A recent survey conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) found that only half of Americans have put together an emergency kit, and less than half – only 40 percent – have a family emergency plan.
Failure to prepare can be an impediment to emergency services responding to the crisis. Every family that fails to take even the most basic preparedness actions, such as having sufficient water and non-perishable food to support the family for at least 72 hours, is a family that may pull responders and critical resources away from those most needing emergency assistance.
Things to include in a home emergency kit include:
A three-day supply of food, including pet food that does not need to be refrigerated;
A three-day supply of water -- one gallon per person per day;
A battery-powered TV or radio with extra batteries;
A flashlight and extra batteries;
A first aid kit;
Hand sanitizers or wipes and other hygiene items;
Matches and waterproof containers;
Extra clothing;
Kitchen items and cooking utensils, including a non-electric can opener and trash bags;
Copies of credit and identification cards, medical and veterinary records;
Cash; and,
Special need items for family and pets such as medications, eye glasses, hearing aids and batteries;
Nothing will contribute more to saving and sustaining lives than a citizenry prepared and provisioned to live in a reduced-services environment in the days immediately following a disaster. It is advisable to keep an personal emergency kit both at home and workplace.
In addition to the emergency kit everyone should have an emergency plan. An emergency plan is more than knowing how to get out of an area when the need arises. An emergency plan is also is about how to stay, in the safest way possible, if told to stay and shelter in place. Part of the emergency plan includes a gathering place and an alternate way to make contact afterward when or if there is a need to evacuate.
For more information on creating a personal emergency supply kit and emergency plan visit the City of Raleigh website at www.raleighnc.gov or Ready Wake website at http://www.wakegov.com/readywake/.
Prepared by:
Chris Riley
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
James Mercer
Director, Emergency Management
City Manager Department
P.O. Box 590
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-4657
