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This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners. |
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DHS -FEMA Updates
Be heard…Email comments or suggestions to us at cert@dhs.gov
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Get Prepared for Something New
FEMA's newest preparedness campaign is almost here.
This nationwide community-based initiative is designed to increase emergency preparedness and resilience through hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises. It also urges everyone in America to practice preparedness actions before a disaster or emergency strikes.
The campaign will be unveiled September 5 at the National Academy of Sciences conference during National Preparedness Month and will highlight the leading natural disasters threats affecting the U. S. today.
Prior to the unveiling, join the preparedness conversation in a 30-minute TweetChat, “Debunking the Myths of Preparedness.” The chat will start at 10:15 AM on September 5. Experts will address popular preparedness myths. To follow the conversation, use #PrepareAthon or follow @PrepareAthon.
Keep up with all the action in a live webcast of the unveiling and learn how to keep your family safe in the face of disaster.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Preparedness on a Budget
If you think creating your disaster preparedness kit will break the bank, consider this – many of the items for your kit may be found around your home – including hand sanitizer, garbage bags, a flashlight and batteries.
After you have built the majority of your kit from items already in your home, you can begin to build a list for the remaining items. Here are some additional tips for keeping your disaster kit budget-friendly:
- Shop at discount and dollar stores where appropriate;
- Trade extra supplies with friends or family; and
- Check the newspaper or online listings for discounted products.
For more simple and budget-friendly disaster kit suggestions and easy steps you should take if disaster strikes, you can access FEMA's free online “ Preparedness on a Shoestring ” activity module.
The “Preparedness on a Shoestring” activity module is part of FEMA's “ Preparedness Activities for Communities Everywhere ” tools, which shows how get prepared for all types of hazards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Individual Needs May Vary
When making emergency plans, remember that each person's needs and abilities are unique. If you or someone you know has access or functional needs , additional steps should be taken to stay safe, healthy, mobile and independent during a disaster. Individuals with access and functional needs include:
Those who are hard of hearing, of limited sight or with limited English proficiency;
- Single parents;
- People without vehicles; and
- People with special dietary needs.
Find out about assistance programs that may be available in your community and register in advance with your local office of emergency services, non-profits groups and health departments.
Stay mobile and independent by including items in your disaster kit that meet your needs such as:
- Medical prescriptions;
- Extra eyeglasses and hearing aids;
- Written descriptions of service needs; and
- Batteries and chargers for assistance devices.
More ways to plan for those with access and functional needs is available in the “ Prepare For Emergencies Now, Information For People With Disabilities ” guide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dates for Your Calendar!
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