For Immediate Release: September 5, 2017
September is National Preparedness Month, and the City of Alexandria encourages everyone to learn how to prepare for emergencies by being ready, involved and informed. Recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, West Coast wildfires, and severe storms and tornadoes near Alexandria have underscored the importance of being ready for any emergency that arises.
The purpose of National Preparedness Month, designated annually by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is to raise public awareness about the importance of being prepared for disasters of any kind. The goal of the initiative is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions.
This year’s National Preparedness Month theme is “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” The City urges that everyone be ready for an emergency or disaster by completing three simple steps:
Build a basic emergency supply kit – Prepare essential food, medicine and other 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 ways to respond. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.
Be a part of something larger by getting involved in preparedness activities at your workplace, campus, or place of worship. You can also be a volunteer for the Medical Reserve Corps, Citizens Corps Council, or other community groups. Visit the City’s Get Involved webpage to find these and other volunteer opportunities. Residents may also sign up for one of Alexandria's free Academies to learn more about the City and its public safety agencies.
During any emergency, it is vital to stay informed by monitoring local media and government information for official news and information. Visit the City’s Be Alert page to learn about the many ways you can stay in touch with local government and emergency authorities during an emergency, ranging from the free Alexandria eNews service to social media channels.
For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.
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