Anne Arundel County Holds Emergency Preparedness Expo

From theAnne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management:

GLEN BURNIE, MD – September 4th through 10th is the National effort focused on Preparing Family and Friends for September’s National Emergency Preparedness Month. Disaster can strike at any time, your family may not be together, so it is vital to plan for situations to prepare your family and friends. When making an emergency plan consider the following:

How will my family/household receive emergency alerts and warnings?
Make sure all household members are able to receive alerts from local officials. You may register for Anne Arundel County’s mass notification system at Office of Emergency Management’s website and follow us on Facebook at Anne Arundel County OEM to receive emergency alerts and important information regarding emergencies.

How will my family/household get to a safe location for relevant emergencies?
Develop a plan on where and how everyone will arrive. Selecting an alternative place to meet such as a local coffee shop, parking lot, etc. will allow you and your family to plan for a safe place to meet if you are unable to access your community or house. Be aware of the transportation available to you, is a co-worker, neighbor, friend, etc. able to provide transportation in an emergency if you do not have transportation available.

• Phone Numbers (work, cell, office)
• Email
• Social Media
• Medical Facilities, doctors, service providers
• School

While preparing your family consider family members in facilities such as; nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, etc. by contacting the facility’s administrator to learn more about the facility’s emergency plans. Make sure the facility has your family’s communication plan and contact numbers in case of an evacuation.
How will my family/household stay in touch if cell phone, internet, or landlines are out of service?

While developing your family emergency plan consider the ways you can communicate if service affects cell phones, internet, or landlines. In some cases, texting is functional while making phone calls are not due to the overwhelming calls being made in the area. Also, selecting a family member outside of the state is an alternative way to let loved ones know you are safe.

To help prepare your family and friends by having an emergency supply kit, making a plan, and staying informed. To learn more about preparing your family and friends attend the Office of Emergency Management’s Emergency Preparedness Expo on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marley Station Mall.

Image via the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management.