NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH:
National Preparedness Month is observed each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is "Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love."
Learn more here: https://www.ready.gov/september.
PREPAREDNESS:
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) has a free online Citizens Preparedness Training Course. The 24-minute training offers New Yorkers a condensed version of what they would have learned during an in-person course.
Topics include how to develop a family emergency plan, how to prepare your family and home for a potential emergency such as fire, what to do in specific situations such as active shooter, and covers evacuation or sheltering-in-place due to a life-threatening event, and much more. The training also discusses what to do when returning home after an emergency, including re-entry procedures, checking for and documenting damage safely, addressing emotional and other personal needs in the aftermath of a catastrophic event, and being wary of post-disaster scams.
The Department of Emergency Response offers presentations to community groups and organizations to provide basic information on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters or emergencies. Learn which ones are more likely to occur in our area and how you can reduce their impact on you, your family, and the community. Contact Geoff Dunn, Community Preparedness Coordinator, at 607-266-2633, or email gdunn@tompkins-co.org.