[Archived] September is National Preparedness Month

August 31, 2011

News Highlights

• National Preparedness Month is the month of September
• This year’s theme is A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.
• The focus of National Preparedness Month is to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for disasters of any kind. 
• City of Alexandria Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management is planning several outreach activities in recognition of National Preparedness Month which will be announced in the near future.  

More Information

• https://www.alexandriava.gov/fire/info/default.aspx?id=5176
• https://www.alexandriava.gov/CitizenCorps
• https://www.alexandriava.gov/news_display.aspx?id=51318
• http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM
• http://www.ready.gov/

As the Washington Metropolitan Area recovers from a recent earthquake and Hurricane Irene, the Alexandria Fire Department and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) wish to remind the community that the month of September is National Preparedness Month.

Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates the month of September as National Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for disasters of any kind.  The support for National Preparedness Month has grown on a national, state, and local level since its inception.  The recent disasters across the United States and around the world have inspired the public to take action. 

The theme for this year’s National Preparedness Month ~ A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare - is intended to help encourage activities that will: 

• Honor our career and volunteer fire and EMS providers 
• Encourage community service 
• Reaffirm that preparedness is a shared responsibility

National Preparedness Month Activities

The City of Alexandria Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management is planning several outreach activities in recognition of National Preparedness Month which will be announced in the near future.  As part of National Preparedness Month the City will hold a remembrance ceremony for the tenth anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001 on Friday, September 9 at noon in Market Square (301 King St.). The purpose of the hour-long commemoration is to give thanks and pay tribute to those who responded on 9-11 without fear, acted without hesitation, and gave their lives to save others. 

Be Ready

The City of Alexandria Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management recommends everyone be ready for an emergency or disaster by completing three simple steps:

• Basic Emergency Supply Kit – Prepare essential food and supplies for at least three days of use.
• Prepare a Family Emergency Plan - Develop a family plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.
• Stay Informed - Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.  Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

National Preparedness Month ~ A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.  

For more information, contact Kim Purcell, Citizen Corps Liason, Alexandria Fire Department, at 703.746.5259 or kim.purcell@alexandriava.gov