Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ready Campaign host “National Preparedness Month” – an effort to improve individual and community preparedness towards disasters. In 2020, National Preparedness Month is a timely reminder that we all need to be better prepared. In addition to ways the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted millions of people, in the past several months, there have been earthquakes, hurricanes, severe weather, and wildfires that have caused damage and loss of life United States. While natural disasters cannot be prevented, many of their impacts can. On a community level, it is important to adopt and enforce modern building codes, which take into account local hazards, to reduce deaths and injuries, as well as improve community resiliency. On an individual level, being prepared for a disasters can be accomplished in a variety of ways. From making communications plans to reconnect with family members, to building disaster supply kits, to taking first aid training, citizens can play an important role in improving their own ability to respond following an event.
Following National Preparedness Month, CUSEC will again be participating in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, set for Thursday October 15. The ShakeOut is another dedicated time to practice how to be prepared and stay safe, for earthquakes and other disasters. Last year, more than 50 million people participated in ShakeOut drills around the globe, practicing how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in the event of an earthquake.
We encourage everyone to learn how to stay safe and how to participate in the ShakeOut by visiting www.shakeout.org/centralus.
