September is National Preparedness Month

Staff Report

September is National Preparedness Month and the Forsyth County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) urges citizens to take time during the month to plan and prepare for disasters and emergency situations.

“Spend some time this month taking proactive steps to become prepared,” EMA Director and Fire Chief Danny Bowman said. “Developing an emergency plan and assembling a disaster supply kit can prove to be of tremendous benefit to all residents and businesses in times of emergencies.”

Develop a Plan

It is important to create a plan in case of an emergency, whether you are at home, at work or on the go. Planning ahead will ensure you know what to do and have the supplies you need to be safe wherever you are.

Sit down with family members before an emergency strikes and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in a crisis situation. Keep a copy of this plan in your disaster supply kit or another safe place where you can access it when you need it.

Assemble a Kit

Every household is encouraged to assemble a disaster supply kit. Some items recommended for inclusion are:

• Water: one gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days
• Food: at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
• Hand-operated can opener
• Radio: battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps

Stay Informed: Weather Alert Notifications and Emergency Notification Calls

The Forsyth County EMA recommends that residents sign up for weather alert notifications, to be used in conjunction with the county’s outdoor severe weather sirens and a NOAA weather radio.

These time-sensitive weather alerts will warn Forsyth County residents about severe thunderstorms, flash floods and tornadoes. Citizens can elect to be notified when alerts are issued via telephone calls, emails or text messages. There is no cost for citizens to register and receive these weather alerts, but phone usage or text charges may apply.

To enroll, visit the Forsyth County website at www.forsythco.com and look for the ‘Sign up for Weather Alerts & Emergency Notifications’ icon on the home page. You will be directed to a secure sign-up page hosted by Twenty First Century Communications. The information provided during the registration process determines the geographical region of the county for which you will receive weather alerts.

By signing up to receive the weather alerts, you will be automatically subscribed to receive emergency notification calls. These are automated calls from the 911 Center to notify residents of emergencies or important situations and are made to telephone numbers on record with the 911 Center. Residents who have a cell phone in place of a home telephone, would like to have a cell phone called in addition to their home telephone, or who have VOIP or digital voice phones can register those numbers via the weather alerts sign-up page.

For more information, call the Forsyth County EMA office at 770.205.5674 or visit www.ready.ga.gov.