“Disasters
can’t happen to my family.” Or can
they? “I’m prepared for emergencies.” Or are you?
September is National Preparedness month. Over the next four weeks, Ida County Medical
Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers will share why preparing for emergencies are
important to them.
Ed
Sohm, Ida County Emergency Management Coordinator and MRC volunteer remembers a
time residents from Battle Creek needed to be evacuated due to a fire at a
business facility. “Evacuations are more
common than many people realize, and the amount of time you have to leave will
depend on the hazard. Many disasters
allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities. That is why planning ahead is essential,”
states Ed.
Ed
shared some important evacuation guidelines.
1) Develop a Family Emergency Plan that identifies places where your
family will meet, both within and outside of your neighborhood. 2) Keep a backpack with important numbers, a
list of your medications and copies of important papers readily available to
take with you in any emergency. 3) Keep
a half tank of gas in your car at all times.
Gas stations may be closed or you may not be able to pump gas during
power outages. 4) Don’t forget to take
your pets with you. 5) It’s a good idea
to check with elderly neighbors who may need a ride. 6) If time allows, call your out-of-state
contact in your Family Communications Plan to let them know where you are
going.
“Now
is the time to prepare yourself and those in your care for emergencies and
disasters,” reminds Ed.
