'Disaster Preparedness Month,' New Safety Guide In Summit

SUMMIT, NJ — September is "National Preparedness Month" in the City of Summit, and officials are making sure residents have what they need to prepare for different types of disasters.

Residents and businesses are being encouraged to get a plan together to face both natural disasters and other forms of emergencies. This year's theme for the annual initiative is "Preparedness Starts at Home" and includes a four-step method to creating a free family emergency plan. The city also released a new safety guide this year, with public safety advice and strategies to navigate emergencies.

“I urge all residents to dedicate some time this month to getting prepared,” adds Mayor Elizabeth Fagan. “Create a family plan, build an emergency kit, and have a conversation together about being prepared. These small steps can make a big difference when disaster strikes.”
Key Actions For Emergency Preparedness

• "Know your risk
  • Know what kinds of disasters could happen where you live. This helps you figure out how to create a plan to stay safe. Explore various disasters and emergencies on ready.gov.
• Make a family emergency plan
  • Make a plan now to reduce stress and save time and money when a disaster or emergency occurs. Be sure to consider the needs of every member of the family (including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and pets) when creating your plan. Follow these four easy steps and create a free Family Emergency Plan on ready.gov.

• Build an emergency kit
  • In an emergency, having enough food, water, and emergency supplies can help you stay safe and comfortable until help arrives. Build a go-bag now with all the essentials you may need, so you don’t need to scramble in an emergency.
  • Your kit should include enough food, water, medicine, and other supplies to last for several days. Find a full list of supplies at Build a Kit on ready.gov.
• Get involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies
  • Emergencies can happen fast, and emergency responders won’t always be nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. Consider taking a first aid class with an organization in your community or a free online course through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute to get trained on basic disaster response skills"

The city is also encouraging residents to sign up for the Nixle and Smart911 alert systems. During disasters and emergencies, officials will utilize both methods to relay safety information.
More information can be found on the City of Summit website and by visiting FEMA online.