ImageHeader
  • Home
  • Services
    • Commercial Property Damage Restoration
    • Fire Damage Restoration
    • Water Damage Restoration for Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
    • Mold Damage Remediation
    • Professional Biohazard Cleanup
    • Emergency Board Up
  • Our Team
  • Customer Reviews
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Report a Loss
  • Contact Us
National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Communicate!”

Posted by Kristine Allcroft, PhD 
· August 28, 2016 
· No Comments

Every year September is set aside as National Preparedness Month (NPM) with local, regional, and national activities. All of this leads up to National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30th.

national preparedness month - get the FEMA app for alerts

Because National Preparedness Month focuses on communication readiness. Be smart. Take part. Get the FEMA mobile app at http://www.fema.gov/mobile-app

Save

National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder to take action to prepare, now and throughout the year.

Why have an emergency preparedness month? Because preparedness planning works. Prepared people increase a community’s resilience and recovery after disasters.

Because last year’s theme “Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today!” was so successful, it’s returning for an encore this year.

Why?

Because disasters are a time when communications break down the most!

National preparedness month - emergency communication plan It’s not enough to have your plan in your head. During chaotic times, having a written plan is best.

And there’s another reason for this year’s theme.

You and your family might not be together if a disaster strikes.

So, it’s important to think about different situations and make a plan just in case.

What’s the best way to do that?

Ask questions!

Questions like:

  • How will we get emergency alerts and warnings?
  • How will my family get to safe locations in emergencies?
  • What can we do to get in touch if cell phones, internet, or landlines don’t work?
  • How will I let loved ones know I am safe?
  • How will we get to a meeting place after the emergency?

If those questions got you thinking, here are the 6 easy steps to participate in National Preparedness Month and start creating your emergency communication plan:

1. First, understand how to receive emergency alerts and warnings.

Alerts received at the right time can help keep you safe during an emergency.

With Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), warnings can be sent to your mobile device.  The alerts let you know  when you may be in harm’s way without needing to download an app or subscribing to a service.  For more information visit www.ready.gov/alerts

So, make sure everyone in your home is able to get alerts about emergencies from local officials. That way you can receive lifesaving information no matter where you are – at home, at school, or at work.

In our Greater Philadelphia region, you can get real-time notifications through ReadyPhiladelphia. This is our region’s emergency text and email alert system.

So you can stay on top of important updates, you can register online here. The alerts are free. However, your wireless provider may charge for text messaging.

Also, you can follow Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) posts online. 
The OEM posts real time updates on all these social media sites:

          • Twitter
          • Facebook
          • LinkedIn
          • YouTube

2. Next, discuss family/household plans for disasters that may affect your area and plan where to go.

Plan together in advance. That way everyone in your household understands where to go during a different types of disaster like a hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods.

3. Now, it’s time to collect information.

Create a paper copy of the contact information for your family that includes:

    • phone (work, cell, office)
    • email
    • social media
    • medical facilities, doctors, service providers
    • school

In addition, you can download and print out the Ready.gov communication plans here:

Family Communication Plan

Family Emergency Plan for your wallet

And, while you’re collecting information, program our number 877-750-7876 into your cell phone and write it down on your plan too!

Most of all, remember:  whether it’s a natural disaster like a hurricane, flood, or a fire in your home, the faster you call us after a disaster, the more quickly we can get your property back into action.

4. Next, pick emergency meeting places.

Here are some things to consider:

  • First, decide on safe, familiar places where you and your family can go for protection or to reunite.
  • Next, make sure the places you pick are accessible for members of your family with disabilities.
  • And finally, if you have pets or service animals, consider animal-friendly locations.

Here are some examples of meeting places:

  • Close to home: a mailbox at the end of the driveway, or a neighbor’s house.
  • Outside of your neighborhood: library, community center, place of worship, or family friend’s home.
  • Outside of your town or city: home of a relative or family friend. Make sure everyone knows the address of the meeting place. And then, discuss ways you would get there.

5. Now, share the information.

First, make sure everyone in your family carries a copy in backpack, purse, or wallet. Then, post a copy of your preparedness plan in a central location in your home, like your refrigerator or family bulletin board. This helps keep preparedness top of mind.

6. Practice makes perfect, so practice your plan.

If you have a plan but nobody remembers it, it’s not very successful is it? Therefore, have regular household meetings, not just during National Preparedness Month. Review your emergency communication plans and meeting places after a disaster. And then practice the plan, just like you would a fire drill.

All of these steps will help you and your family in the event the unthinkable happens. And practicing the steps will get you back on the road to recovery fast, while keeping you and your loved ones safe.

Here at PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services we’re dedicated to helping you and your family stay safe during National Preparedness Month and every month! We’re proud to be your partners in preparedness planning for the communities we serve in the Greater Philadelphia and Cherry Hill region.

Related Posts

  • Preparedness Tips for Pet OwnersAvoiding tragedy: 6 Preparedness Tips for Pet Owners
  • Hurricane Sandy aftermathIt’s hurricane season! Are you prepared? 5 Steps to Take
  • Philadelphia preparedness planning for businessPrivate Sector Preparedness and PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services
  • if you're ready for zombies, ready for anythingReady for the Zombie Apocalypse? Then you’re ready for anything!
  • support the American Red Cross10 Reasons Why We Support The American Red Cross
  • homes with older construction are usually better for mold sensitized individualsCreate a Personal Home Inventory – Because No One Plans for a Disaster!
  • Are nursing homes prepared? Maybe not . ..Are nursing homes prepared? Maybe not . ..
  • fire prevention week 2016Fire Prevention Week 2016
  • For Philadelphia & South Jersey: How to choose a mold inspector for your homeFor Philadelphia & South Jersey: How to choose a mold inspector for your home
  • Restaurant Sewage cleanup in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania
  • respirator required for mold damage inspection after burst pipe water damageHow the Polar Vortex could affect your health for the rest of the year
  • prevent water damage5 Tips to prevent water damage to your home before you go on vacation

Share this:

  • Tweet
No Comments
Categories : Emergency Preparedness Planning, PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services
Tags : disaster planning, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness planning, Philadelphia preparedness planning
Previous Post →
← Next Post

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts from the Blog

30 Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Winter!

December 12, 2017
30 Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Winter!: Are you ready for winter? Here are the top 30 tips to get your home ready PLUS 10 ways to reduce energy costs. Learn more!

Top 30 Tips To Get Your Home Ready For Winter! Winter is just around the corner and in some places has already arrived. PuroClean is proud to serve consumers and business owners in the Philadelphia and Southern NJ areas. One of our goals is to educate and inform our visitors about mold, fire, water, bio-hazard, […]

Read article →

Why Do Christmas Trees Cause Illness?

November 28, 2017
Why Do Christmas Trees Cause Illness?: Do you get sick soon after your Christmas tree is in the home? This article explains why. We also provide you with 8 Xmas tree fire safety tips. Learn more!

Your Christmas Tree Is Not Only A Fire Hazard, But Can Also Make You Sick From Mold! PuroClean is dedicated to informing our customers about mold and the health related concerns it causes. We are also passionate about fire prevention, which is particularly important during the holiday season because of the fire hazards posed by […]

Read article →

Top 10 Tips To Prevent Electrical Fires!

November 14, 2017
Top 10 Tips To Prevent Electrical Fires!: This article give you 10 tips to prevent electrical fires. Plus, we explain how a thermal imaging inspection could identify potential electrical problems!

Ten Tips To Prevent Electrical Fires, The 2nd Largest Cause! One of the core services that PuroClean offers to residents in Philadelphia and Southern NJ is fire and smoke restoration. Our team has helped many home and business owners restore their properties after experiencing a fire or smoke event. PuroClean has so many satisfied customers […]

Read article →

How to Avoid A Clothes Dryer Fire?

October 31, 2017
How to Avoid a Dryer Fire?: Did you know that approximately 15,500 fires are started by clothes dryers each year? This article explains why dirty dryer ducts are a fire hazard and what you can do to protect you and your family.

What Is The Number One Reason Clothes Dryers Are A Fire Hazard? One of the core services that PuroClean offers to residents in Philadelphia and Southern NJ is fire and smoke restoration. Our team has helped many home and business owners restore their properties after experiencing a fire or smoke event. PuroClean has so many […]

Read article →

Concerned About Mold In Schools?

October 17, 2017
Concerned About Mold In Schools?: There have been several high profile stories about mold in schools in Philadelphia and Southern NJ. If you have questions, we have answers!

Got Questions About Mold In Schools? We Have Answers! “Once school started again, he was having breathing issues; he didn’t have any issues over the summer. This is their health and they have to breathe this in. Every single day that they are there, six hours a day that they are at school. I don’t […]

Read article →
PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services
For Immediate 24/7 Response in the Greater Philadelphia and Southern NJ Region, Call 877-750-7876.
Services: Commercial Property Damage Restoration · Fire Damage Restoration · Water Damage Restoration
Mold Damage Remediation · Professional Biohazard Cleanup · Emergency Board Up
Our Team · Customer Reviews · Frequently Asked Questions · Report a Loss · Contact Us
Copyright © 2011-2021 by PuroClean Emergency Recovery Services. All Rights Reserved.
Site Credits