This year’s theme: “Americans Stand Ready”
By Martinez Police Department
Emergencies can happen anytime, and being prepared ahead of time can make all the difference.
According to Ready.gov, an official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Each September, FEMA’s Ready Campaign celebrates National Preparedness Month…to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared. This year’s theme is, “Americans Stand Ready.”
FEMA’s Ready Campaign educates and empowers Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including those from natural hazards and man-made disasters. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and appropriate responses. Everyone should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive several days if an emergency occurs.
This list of emergency supply kit items is only a starting point. It is important that individuals review this list and consider the unique needs of their family, including pets, for items to include. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.
Take a few simple steps this month to help keep you and your family ready:
- Know your risks
- Make an emergency plan
- Build a 72-hour kit (See FEMA’s Ready.gov Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit checklist)
- Get involved in your community
About Martinez CERT
Organized under FEMA, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates residents about disaster preparedness and equips them with practical skills for handling emergencies in residential settings. The program’s training covers essential skills such as emergency first aid, fire suppression, basic search and rescue, radio usage, command structure
Trained CERT members are prepared to assist their families and neighbors during disasters when professional responders might be delayed. Developed originally by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, CERT became a national initiative in 1993. Today, with more than 3,200 local programs across all 50 states and over 600,000 trained individuals, CERT is an essential component to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States.
Our partners with Martinez CERT play an important role in helping make our community stronger, safer, and more prepared. Whether it’s learning lifesaving skills, helping neighbors, or supporting first responders, CERT volunteers make a difference.
For more information visit Martinez Community Emergency Response Team.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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