Health department encourages preparedness for emergencies

National Preparedness Month occurs every September to help promote awareness about preparing for disasters and emergencies that may affect communities at any time.

This year’s theme is Preparedness Starts at Home, as stated in a news release from the Sidney-Shelby County Health Department. The theme includes key actions to take to prepare for any possible disaster. These include knowing your risk, making a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit and getting involved in the community to prepare for emergencies.

Knowing your risk means knowing what could happen where you and your family live. This helps you figure out what you need to do to stay safe. Being alert to weather conditions or situations that may affect the community is critical. Signing up for Shelby County’s local Emergency Notification System will provide urgent notifications as they are occurring. To sign up for this system, text “SHELBYCO” to 38276 or visit https://shelbycounty-oh.myfreealerts.com/.

Making a family emergency plan includes establishing meeting points, assigning responsibilities, practicing evacuation routes and creating a communication plan. Know how to evacuate your home quickly in case of a fire and have a designated meeting location to locate family members. Practice and plan for such emergencies. Make sure you know important phone numbers. With cell phones, numbers are stored; but what if you lose access to that data? Have a communication plan in place in case if you do not have access to your primary communication methods or resources.

Building an emergency supply kit includes having enough food, water and medicine that can help you stay safe and comfortable until help arrives. Have a to go bag with all the essentials you might need so you do not need to scramble in an evacuation situation.

Getting involved in your community by taking action to prepare for emergencies such as learning CPR or volunteering in an organization that assists during emergencies or disasters. Learning CPR is a simple step that everyone can do to help save a life until first responders can arrive. To assist with these efforts, the Sidney-Shelby County Health Department has started holding CPR classes (American Heart BLS) the second Thursday every quarter. Fee and registration information is on their website at www.shelbycountyhealthdept.org.

The Sidney-Shelby County Health Department also coordinates a volunteer program called the Shelby County Medical Reserve Corps program. The MRC is a national network of volunteers (medical and non-medical) who help make their communities stronger and healthier during disasters and every day. They prepare for and respond to natural disasters, such as tornadoes, blizzards and floods, as well as other emergencies affecting public health, such as disease outbreaks. MRC volunteers also regularly contribute to community preparedness, engaging in activities like CPR/AED training and assisting with community vaccination clinics.