www.rowlettCERT.com
September is National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by FEMA, National Preparedness Month aims to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.
National Preparedness Month is a time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and disasters, both large scale and smaller local events. We know that emergencies can happen unexpectedly in communities just like Rowlett.
As commendable as they may be in their profession of assisting those in need – police, fire, and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly in an emergency or disaster. The most important step you can take in helping our local responders is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care for at least a short period of time following the incident – the more people that are prepared, the faster Rowlett can recover.
You are not helpless in the face of an emergency. With just a few simple steps, you can Be A Force of Nature by knowing your risk, taking action, and being an example in your community.
First – know your risks. Bookmark weather.gov on your computer or smart phone to stay informed about severe weather. Learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts – messages that will be sent to your phone during and emergency. Get practical tips on preparing for disaster at ready.gov.
Secondly – Take Action. Prepare a disaster supply kit with at least 3 days supply of food, water, medicines, and other essentials. Remember – you may be without electricity or other city services. Create a family emergency plan so that your family knows how to communicate during an emergency. It's always a good idea to obtain an NOAA weather radio.
Lastly – Be an example. Let your friends and family know you are taking steps to be prepared and encourage them to do the same. You might want to get involved with your local Red Cross chapter or train with and join the Rowlett Community Emergency Response Team. Now over ten years old, your local Rowlett CERT is a nationally recognized group with over 100 members. You can find more information at RowlettCert.com.
We don't know when an emergency may occur, but these simple steps will help you be prepared for the worst and make Rowlett a safer, stronger, and more resilient community.
