National Preparedness Month - September 2009

Take Time to Prepare for Emergencies Now

Start Simple. Start today!

This September marks the sixth annual National Preparedness Month – one month designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Even though we don't know when or where disasters and emergencies may strike, we do know that we can do more to be prepared for the unexpected.

We encourage all Utahns to take on the challenge this September to be “Be Ready.”  Here are four simple steps to a higher level of preparedness:

  • Make a Plan - Be ready with an emergency plan so you know where to go, what to do and how to communicate with your loved ones in case of an emergency. Practice your plan once a year if you can.

  • Get a Kit - Be ready with an emergency supply kit so you can be self-sufficient for three – five days. Don’t forget some basic emergency supplies in your vehicle as well.
  • Be Informed - Be informed about Utah’s natural hazards and get to know the local emergency manager in your community.
  • Get Involved – Look for opportunities to help others become better prepared and volunteer your expertise and talents. Become a CERT member in your community.

The time and effort we invest now in preparing will help us navigate through and recover quickly from what may come our way at the most unexpected moment. The time to do planning is now before the next disaster strikes.

*Send us your events and preparedness stories: bereadyutah@utah.gov or on Facebook

BE READY UTAH EVENTS DURING SEPTEMBER

Sept. 10 - 14 (Thursday - Monday)

Visit the Be Ready Utah exhibit in the south east corner at the Utah State Fair

Sept. 11 National Pledge to Drill Down for Safety (Safe America Foundation)

Other preparedness events with drills during September

Sept. 14 - 20 - Be Ready Utah week

14 - Ready Your Family at the Utah State Fair

15 - Utah Bankers Association to sign reciprocal aid agreement

16 - Ready Your Community: Full-scale disaster exercise in Tooele County

(State of Utah, Tooele County, Salt Lake County, Utah County and the American Red Cross participating in this CSEPP exercise - the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program)

18 - Ready Your Business: Private Sector Homeland Security Coordinating Council annual meeting