2013 Rick Rescorla Resilience Award Winners
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Monsignor John Brown, Walgreens drugstores and the New York Mets have been awarded the 2013 Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience , recognizing their contributions to their communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Monsignor John Brown of Belle Harbor, N.Y., Walgreens drugstores and the New York Mets all worked tirelessly to help their communities recover from the storm. Under Monsignor Brown's leadership, St. Francis de Sales Parish became the largest relief center on the Rockaway peninsula, providing hot food, medical care, mental health care, trauma counseling, clothing, cleaning supplies, pet food, veterinary care and more. At the height of the effort it served between 4,000 –and 10,000 people per day.
Walgreens drugstores implemented business continuity plans before the storm made landfall, enabling the company to continue providing for basic human needs. In the aftermath of the storm, Walgreens drugstores quickly dispatched mobile pharmacies and constructed temporary pharmacies, continuing to provide much needed services throughout the region. The company also shipped in 25,000 blankets, three semi-trailer loads of water and other items that governmental organizations were lacking.
The New York Mets, working with the City's Office of Emergency Management, opened their facilities to be used as a Logistics Staging Area for more than three and a half months to receive, stage and distribute unassigned resources prior to or following the storm. The Mets also supported first responders' daily efforts by providing housing for up to 600 workers a night and distributing over 1,500 meals per day during the peak recovery period following the storm.
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Preparedness Stocking Stuffers
Still looking for holiday gift ideas? What better way to say happy holidays than to give the gift of preparedness to your family and friends? The onset of winter is a critical time for safety preparation. Several items that are critical in emergencies also make good gifts to store in a disaster supply kit . Download FEMA's “Preparedness on a Shoestring” activity module for cost-effective ways to create disaster kits on a budget. Many of the items may be found around your home including:
- Adhesive bandages of various sizes;
- Two pairs of sterile gloves; and
- Antibiotic ointment.
The gift of preparedness can mean more than the basic supply kit! If it becomes necessary to boil water during an emergency, consider giving a tea kettle as a gift. Tea kettles are better at boiling water than pots and pans because they are enclosed and the metal interiors allow for more even heating. A solar charging unit for charging and powering electronic devices would also make a good stocking stuffer. They range in size from pocket-size to fold-out panel and are powered by the sun, making them useful on clear days when electricity is unavailable.
For more preparedness gift-giving ideas this holiday, visit FEMA.gov .
Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the Federal government does not endorse any non-Federal entities, organizations, services, or products.
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Winter Care For Your Car
So you've prepared your home for winter weather but what about your car? You can avoid many dangerous winter travel problems by planning ahead. Before you hit the road, have a mechanic check the following items on your vehicle:
- Antifreeze levels – ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing;
- Battery and ignition system – terminal should be clean;
- Brakes – check for wear and fluid level; and
- Tires – make sure they have adequate tread.
Changes in weather call for changes in your emergency supply kit. For winter weather, update the emergency kits in your vehicle with:
- Matches;
- Booster cables;
- Tow chain or rope; and
- A fluorescent distress flag.
Need a quick and easy way to remember what items to check on your car each winter? Download the car maintenance checklist from the Centers for Disease Control today!
Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the Federal government does not endorse any non-Federal entities, organizations, services, or products.
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