2008 News
August 28, 2008
Commissioners Ask Bucks Countians, Are You Ready…Or Not?September is National Preparedness Month
It’s one of those things you know you should do, but you have trouble finding the time. This September, in observance of National Preparedness Month, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners is urging citizens to set aside the time to prepare yourselves and your families for an emergency. There are a few simple steps we can take in order to sustain ourselves for several days in the case of an emergency.
Get a Kit A basic emergency supply kit can help a family survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Each family’s needs are unique, so individuals are encouraged to use this suggested list as a starting point.
- Water –one gallon of water per day per person, for three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food – at least three days of non-perishable foods
- Radio – a battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps in case known routes are inaccessible
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Important family documents such as insurance policies, in waterproof, portable container
- Change of clothing
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper for water purification (do not use scented, color-safe or bleaches with added cleaners) Use 16 drops per gallon
- Books, games, activities for the family
Make a Plan Make sure you have a family emergency plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations? Go to Ready Bucks for the Ready America-Family Communications Plan to make your plan.
Be Informed Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.
However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could occur where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.
In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your local municipality. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.
One way to be informed is to sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, a community alert system that sends information to your e-mail, PDA or mobile device. Subscribe now at www.ReadyNotifyPA.org.
The Bucks County Commissioners, along with the county’s Emergency Management Agency, stand ready to do their part during a disaster. During National Preparedness Month, the commissioners and EMA encourage residents to take individual preparedness measures.
For more information and resources, visit Ready Bucks.