September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month is recognized every September as part of FEMA’s Ready Campaign aimed at educating and empowering people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies. This year’s theme, A Lasting Legacy: The life you've built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family, offers resources for different elements of preparedness, including making an emergency plan, building an emergency kit and youth preparedness.
During National Preparedness Month and throughout the year, the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency encourages all Jasper residents to take a proactive approach in personal preparedness and to sign up for community and weather alerts at http://bit.ly/JasperAlerts.
Preparedness Materials
Build A Kit
After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Download a printable version.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
✔ Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
✔ Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
✔ Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
✔ Flashlight
✔ First aid kit
✔ Extra batteries
✔ Whistle (to signal for help)
✔ Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
✔ Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
✔ Moist towelettes/garbage bags/plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
✔ Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
✔ Manual can opener
✔ Local Maps
✔ Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
Additional Emergency Supplies
✔ Masks/soap/hand sanitizer/disinfecting wipes
✔ Prescription medications
✔ Non-prescription medications (pain relievers/anti-diarrhea/antacids/laxatives)
✔ Eyeglasses/contacts/supplies
✔ Infant formula/bottles/diapers/wipes/diaper rash cream
✔ Pet food and extra water for your pet
✔ Cash
✔ Important family documents (insurance policies/identification/bank account records (saved electronically or in a waterproof container)
✔ Sleeping bag or warm blanket/person
✔ Complete change of clothing/sturdy shoes
✔ Matches in a waterproof container
✔ Feminine supplies/personal hygiene items
✔ Mess kits/paper cups/plates/paper towels/plastic utensils
✔ Paper/pencil/activities for children
All information courtesy of ready.gov