Emergency Plan Helps Save Your Health

"Prepare. Plan. Stay informed."

When emergency occurs it is good for you and your family to be prepared and have a plan.  Your contact list should include agencies listed below and the local numbers for your area.  If you have a condition that requires special assistance, many of these agencies have contact information for preparation before an emergency occurs.  For example, most state power and utility companies have special assistance programs for those in need of power to run medical supportive devices.

During an emergency many resources are utilized quickly.  Make your emergency plan a family priority to prevent and avoid unhealthy adverse events.  Best health!

Emergency Contact List

RED CROSS
http://www.redcross.org/
Phone: 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767 / 1-800-257-7575 (Español)

Ready
http://www.ready.gov/
Phone: 1-800- BEREADY (1-800-237-3239)

CDC Emergency Preparedness for Flood, Hurricane, Wildfires and more
http://emergency.cdc.gov/

CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/
Phone: (800) CDC-INFO/(800) 232-4636) TTY (888) 232-6348

National Weather Service
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
http://www.weather.gov/

NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration)
http://www.noaa.gov/
NOAA in Your State
http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/NIYS0107/noaainyourstate.html

FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA, TTY (800) 462-7585

Flood Smart (NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program}
http://www.floodsmart.gov/
Phone: 1- 888-379-9531

National Association of County and City Health Officials
http://www.naccho.org/
local public health resource

National Guard
http://www.nationalguard.com/

Emergency Preparedness - Do Your Part

It is always time to be sure you are prepared for any emergency. Safety and health are more important than ever during an emergency situation. Being prepared is a real-time, year round activity.

Though September is official National Preparedness Month, which is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), it is time to prepare now. This program helps us prepare for emergencies. It encourages us to "get a kit, make a plan, be informed, get involved".

While it is important to prepare yourself, it is also important to help prepare your community. The Citizens Corp, "uniting communities, preparing the nation", encourages you to start with personal preparedness as well as volunteering to help in community preparedness.

Citizens Corps programs include the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Fire Corps, Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS), and USA on Watch (National Neighborhood on Watch).

Learn more about these programs at http://www.citizencorps.gov/ . Get involved. If you are already involved, call on others to do their part.

Preparedness begins at home. Be ready, stay ready. Be informed and check out National Preparedness Month at http://www.ready.gov/ .