September is National Preparedness Month - Photo of an Emergency Preparedness Kit in a Blue Container

NPM 2008 Overview


September 2008 marked the fifth year for National Preparedness Month. A record 3,200 organizations joined the Ready Campaign in promoting emergency preparedness across this country in homes, schools, businesses and communities. Below you find highlights of different events that were held throughout the country, we hope this will inspire you to make sure you have an emergency supply kit, an emergency plan, that you are informed about the different emergencies possible in your area and the appropriate responses as well as getting involved.

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"Get Prepared for Emergencies and Disasters" Event

Get Prepared for Emergencies and Disasters flyer

"Get Prepared" Announcement

On September 27 at the St. Matthew's United Methodist Church in Bowie, MD, Coalition Members held an all day event entitled "Get Prepared for Emergencies and Disasters." This program was a true partnership of Federal, State, and local public agencies as well as non-government and private support. The event's focus was to move the community from one of "Being Prepared" to one of "Getting Prepared" as studies have shown a significant percentage of the regional population is not prepared. Their efforts included the American Red Cross leading groups in preparing an emergency plan and supplies list and a series of 10 different topical seminars. The event also hosted demonstrations on ladder and generator safety and police and fire agencies held presentations. The child identification program at the event featured 10 point questionnaire that allowed attendees to see how well prepared they are. Merchants were on hand selling survival and disaster supplies at discounted prices as well.

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U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY

Emergency Vehicle Display

Emergency Vehicle Display
Kids Line Up With Sparky

Kids Line Up With Sparky

On September 11th, 2008, the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. conducted a National Preparedness Fair to promote emergency preparedness among their Soldiers, Civilian Employees, military retirees and family members.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fair was conducted at the Post Exchange Mall and included participants from local, county, State, and Federal agencies and private businesses who set up display tables for the purpose of handing out emergency preparedness information materials to all fair attendees. West Point was also fortunate to be able to help roll-out the Department of the Army's new emergency preparedness campaign, Ready Army. This program is based on the Ready Campaign program and was developed to help Army military and civilian personnel and their family members prepare to meet any emergency on or near Army installations throughout the world.

The National Preparedness Fair was held from 12:00 to 5:00 pm and well received by hundreds of people who attended. West Point received a lot of positive feedback from residents, employees, and participants in the fair.

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"Prepare Fair" - Salt Lake County, UT

As part of National Preparedness Month, The Unified Fire Authority (UFA) and Salt Lake County Emergency Management hosted "Prepare Fair" on Saturday, September 13, at the Salt Lake County Emergency Operation Center (EOC). This unique event was the first of its kind for UFA. There were over 50 vendors, exhibitors, and presenters on site all day to educate and inform the public regarding preparedness issues. Presentations and EOC tours occurred inside the building throughout the day at no cost to the public. More than 350 public attended the fair and roughly 150 of them toured the building. Vendors and exhibitors (fire apparatus, FEMA Region VIII, USAR Utah Task Force 1, mobile command centers, private vendors and government agencies) were set up outside. Presentations held included Electrical Safety - Rocky Mountain Power, NYC 9/11 - Utah Task Force One, Urban Search and Rescue and Severe Winter Weather -NOAA's National Weather Service. Feedback from the public was very positive. Many did not know the Operations Center existed and the challenges and tough decisions emergency responders are faced with during emergencies. They learned for the first time what capabilities the county had to provide safety and security and that individuals weren't as prepared as they should be for emergencies. Many who attended expressed their desire to attend this event on a yearly basis.

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Arkansas Department of Emergency Management

Cub Scout's Pitch In!

Cub Scout's Pitch In!
ADEM at the Ball Game

ADEM at the Ball Game

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) observed National Preparedness Month by partnering with local sports teams. They had their new Mobile Communications Unit on display outside the War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 6 for the Arkansas Razorbacks versus Louisiana Monroe football game. The ADEM also distributed literature and had three of the Ready Campaign PSAs played on the JumboTrons during the game. It is estimated that 60,000 people attended the game. In addition, ADEM also held preparedness nights at the local minor league baseball stadium to promote National Preparedness Month. A group of ADEM employees stood at the gates at Dickey-Stevens Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas distributing brochures containing information on how to put together a family disaster kit. September 04, 2008 was the first round of the Texas League AA/Minor League Baseball playoffs between the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals) and the Arkansas Travelers (Los Angeles Angles) and Wednesday, September 10 2008 was the Texas League Championship. Three of the Ready Campaign's video PSAs played during the games.

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Pet Preparedness - Orange County, CA

In Orange County area of California, The Costa Mesa Fire Department highlighted Pet Preparedness in 2008 as part of National Preparedness Month. They sent letters to veterinarians, pet stores, groomers, etc. in their 42 cities encouraging them to promote preparedness for pets through their business. The Department provided a copy of the Ready Campaign's pet preparedness brochure and information on the Ready Campaign's web site. The Pet Preparedness brochure on the Web and the Ready Campaign site are now also linked to on the city's web site. The Fire Department also promoted "Ready Sunday" based on an idea from the state of Alabama. Celebrating their second year, The Department promoted preparedness steps for every house of worship in the state along with church member preparedness messages. This year, through the Interfaith Council, the focus was to encourage both individuals and families to think and act in preparing for safety and security in the case of emergencies. The interfaith council added information about the event to their Web site and the information were also included on the city's Web site.

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Marriott Guests Check Out Preparedness When Checking In - Atlanta, GA

Marriot Excutives, Ken Alcott and Tony Ellis

Marriot Excutives
Ken Alcott & Tony Ellis

During September's National Preparedness Month, two Metro Atlanta Marriott properties took guest relations to a new level by highlighting ready kits, disaster planning and all-hazards awareness. Marriott representatives developed a two-prong strategy that included providing a limited selection of English and Spanish brochures to guests and conducting preparedness training for support staff.

General Manager Tony Ellis said the programs implemented at The Courtyard by Marriott Northlake and Marriott TownePlace Suites Northlake were a great success. Both properties provided added value to guests who received in-room copies of the materials throughout the month of September. Ellis added that readiness orientations with hotel staff made them more aware of personal responsibility and the need to have their own plan outside the workplace.

Shortly after the launch of the national campaign, the southeast was struck by back-to-back hurricanes, storms and flooding that resulted in evacuations in many states. The two Marriott properties are going to continue to feature the materials at guest registration, noting that "preparedness is something everyone should think about year-round."

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To view more National Preparedness Month 2008 events, click HERE

 
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