Dane County Emergency Management encourages residents to plan ahead during National Preparedness Month

September 03, 2024
Andrew Beckett
Emergency Management

MADISON, Wis. – Disasters can strike at any time and it’s important for every household to have a plan ready for how to respond. September is National Preparedness Month and Dane County Emergency Management encourages everyone to take time in the weeks ahead to create or review plans for when the unexpected happens.

 

“During the month of September, think about what you can do to be better prepared for an emergency,” said Dane County Emergency Management Director Charles Tubbs. “It could be something as simple as putting together an emergency kit or reviewing where you would take shelter during a severe storm. When communities work to be prepared, it helps everyone stay safe.”

 

Consider the following steps to help make you better prepared for an emergency:

• Build an emergency kit for your home that includes basic supplies to keep you and your family safe for up to 72 hours. Kits should include items such as non-perishable food, bottled water, a first aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and essential medications.
• Create an emergency communications plan that explains how members of your household will contact each other if you are forced to leave home quickly or are away from each other during an emergency. Designate a shared contact outside of the area that everyone can check-in with, such as a relative or close family friend.
• Review and practice your emergency escape and shelter plans with everyone in your household. Know where you would seek shelter during a severe storm and identify a safe meet-up location outside of the house.
• If you rely on a medical device that requires power, develop a plan for how you would safely use that device during an extended power outage. Consider installing a generator or purchasing a backup power supply. If that’s not possible, make a plan to stay at another location until power is restored.
• Have multiple ways to stay informed about emergencies. Smart phone apps, local media, and a NOAA Weather Radio are all great ways to keep up to date. You can also sign up for Dane County’s Emergency Notification System to receive severe weather and other emergency alerts by text and email.

 

“With students heading back to school and fall ahead of us, now is a great time to make sure you are ready,” said Dane County Executive Jamie Kuhn. “Create or update your plans, then go over them with everyone in your home so you know they are prepared to act during an emergency.”

 

National Preparedness Month is an annual effort coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The focus of the 2024 campaign is on encouraging diverse communities, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders, to prepare for disasters and build resilience before a disaster strikes.

 

Learn more about the work Dane County Emergency Management does to build preparedness in the community at https://em.countyofdane.com/. You can also follow the department on Facebook to receive safety tips and updates on emergencies in Dane County.