Since 2004, FEMA has observed National Preparedness Month to encourage everyone to prepare for emergencies both big and small. September is your chance to join with FEMA and help your community and city staff be prepared for a disaster. Here are four things you can do this month:
- Share resources with your community members: Using your city’s website or social media channels are great ways to share emergency preparedness resources with your community members. Consider sharing resources from Ready.gov or the State Emergency Management Division so your residents have the best possible information from state and national leaders.
- Review city policies on disasters: Do you know how your city will respond to a community-wide disaster? What about a fire or earthquake at city hall? Take this month to review what plans and processes your city has in place and determine what may need to be updated. Make sure that staff are aware of what to do in an emergency and ensure they know what their responsibilities are during a disaster.
- Prepare for the “Big One”: The Pacific Northwest is earthquake country, with small earthquakes occurring daily and large quakes occurring every few decades. Each year, the state hosts the Great ShakeOut—an opportunity to practice earthquake safety and make sure your employees know what to do during an earthquake. Take the month of September to plan a ShakeOut training for October that includes walking employees through earthquake safety and response.
- Register to attend the AWC Emergency Management Forum: According to a report from the National League of Cities, only 25% of city leaders feel very prepared to respond to an emergency—are you one of them? Join AWC and your peers in Wenatchee in October for a full-day forum on local emergency management. Check out the agenda and register now.
For more information, ideas, and tips: