[Archived] News Release - The City of Alexandria Recognizes National Preparedness Month

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	September 11, 2007 PIO# 225-07	Jennifer Harris, Communications Officer, at 703.838.5078

The City of Alexandria Recognizes National Preparedness Month
Two Community Events Will Promote Awareness

The City Of Alexandria recognizes September as National Preparedness Month by sponsoring community outreach activities at two Alexandria businesses to inform residents about the importance of emergency preparation. These activities will provide information to residents on the basic steps they can take to better prepare their homes, families, and businesses for emergencies.

Mayor William D. Euille and members of City Council will kick off National Preparedness Month by reading a proclamation at the regular meeting of City Council on Tuesday, September 11 at 7pm, to declare Saturday, September 29 as “Be Ready Alexandria Day,” and to encourage residents to take the necessary steps to plan for an emergency.

On September 29, the Citizen Corps Council will sponsor outreach activities at the Target store, located at 3101 Jefferson Davis Highway, and the Home Depot store, located at 400 S. Pickett St., to promote Be Ready Alexandria Day. Staff from the City’s Police, Sheriff, and Fire departments will be at both store locations to distribute materials about emergency preparedness and provide demonstrations to educate residents on how to make preparations for all types of emergencies.

Residents can follow several steps to effectively prepare for emergencies: developing an emergency plan; storing an adequate supply of non-perishable food and bottled water; having an emergency supply kit with a flashlight, batteries, radio, and first aid kit; and staying informed about government resources that can alert you to local emergencies. Residents can obtain specific guidance about emergency preparedness by visiting the web site www.makeaplan.org.

For more information, please contact Kim Purcell, the Alexandria Fire Department’s Citizen Corps Liaison, at 703.706.3940, ext. 231 or email kim.purcell@alexandriava.gov.

###