TO: ALL ARES OPERATORS IN DISTRICT 3
(OFFICIAL)
ALL AMATEURS IN WEST VIRGINIA
(INFORMATION)
FROM: WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED AND WOOD
COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES (ARES)
ARES DISTRICT 3 BULLETIN NR 07.35
DATE: September 2, 2007
SUBJECT: NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH PART 1 OF 4
September is National Preparedness Month. This is a National
Effort to encourage citizens to take very simple steps to prepare
themselves, their families, and encourage their friends and co- workers
to do also. The Department of Homeland Security will work with
thousands of organizations across the nation to highlight the importance
of self preparedness. They have recommended four aspects of
preparedness.
1. GET A KIT - This is a box or bag of emergency items you
need to sustain yourself and those family members for 72 hours. The kit
should include water, flashlight and batteries, non- perishable food,
blankets, battery powered radio, a first aid kit, and any personal
hygiene items and medicines you may need. There are many internet sites
on which you can get a complete listing on suggested kit supplies.
2. MAKE A PLAN - This is a plan to know where you and
your family will meet if a disaster happens, any you have been
evacuated. It is recommended to have two designated meeting spots,
who to call for a common out-of-area contact, and have a list of current
telephone numbers. In your planning, you may need to plan for
having a prepaid phone card, know evacuation routes, know how and when
to shut off utilities, plan for special medical needs, and plan for
pets. Some shelters do not allow pets.
3. BE INFORMED - Know where your local Fire Department,
Police Agency, and local EMS Agencies are located at, and how to contact
them in the event of a disaster. You need to monitor local news
affiliates, and know the NOAA all hazards weather station for your area.
Get to know your work place and school disaster plans.
4. GET INVOLVED - Participate in your community or
neighborhood by helping them prepare, protect, and recover from all
hazards that effect everyone in the community.
All of these points are part of PREPAREDNESS and each is important
in its own merit. Two other important elements of preparedness are
ACCEPTANCE and BELIEF. Acceptance that disasters do happen, even
here, and Belief that you have to b supporting for several days before
you may get help. A disaster means that the event is so large that
local agencies may be overwhelmed.
(Bulletin by Don Williams, N8NUS, WV Citizens Corps program Developer,
WV Homeland Security Region 1)
Ken Harris WA8LLM
Wood County WV
WV ARES Assistant Section Coordinator
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator