September Recognized as National Emergency Preparedness Month
Delco residents urged to take steps to prepare for a disaster or emergency
Delaware County Council joined members of the County’s Department of Emergency Services and volunteers from the Delaware County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to recognize September as Emergency Preparedness Month.
Emergency Preparedness Month is a nationwide campaign sponsored each September by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools and work places. The national recognition is one way to stress the importance of individuals and families to be prepared. The theme for the 2019 National Emergency Preparedness Month is “Prepared, Not Scared.”
“In Delaware County, our first responders, police dispatchers, and staff at our Emergency Services Center are tested every day as they manage the response for hundreds of calls,” said Councilman Kevin Madden. “Throughout the year, Delaware County Council works with the Department of Emergency Services, Department of Intercommunity Health, Regional Emergency Medical Services and partners in the community with the goal to keep residents safe. Council also encourages all residents to take simple steps to prepare themselves and their families for an emergency or disaster.”
During the meeting Council highlighted a few initiatives in recognition of Emergency Preparedness Month.
The County’s Emergency Preparedness Guide is available to all residents, free of charge. The guide has information on how to evacuate or shelter-in-place, what supplies to keep on hand, how to assess damage after an emergency, how to create a family emergency plan and how to handle pets during an emergency. The guide can be found here: www.delcopa.gov/departments/pdfs/19EmergencyPreparednessGuide.pdf
Residents are reminded to register for DelcoAlert, the county’s emergency communication system. This system provides notifications about emergencies and impending disasters in the community. A link to register can be found here: www.delcopa.gov/delcoalert/delcoalert.html
All residents, whether they have a medical background or not, can volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC.) More information is available here: https://www.delcocitizencorps.com/mrc
Residents can also attend an Emergency Preparedness Education or request a presentation for their community, faith, or business organization at no cost by contacting the Department of Emergency Services: 610-565-8700
In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Month, the Department of Emergency Services and the Citizen Corps of Delaware County offered an Emergency Preparedness Fair on Sept. 25 outside of the Delaware County Courthouse. Members handed out emergency preparedness guides, conducted blood pressure screenings, and showed Hands Only CPR and Stop the Bleed videos from their new Public Outreach Trailer.
More information on National Emergency Preparedness Month can be found here: www.ready.gov/september
