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Staying prepared
Health officials give tips for National Preparedness Month
By: Jared Hoffmann
Public health and safety agencies are taking extra steps to inform residents about emergency preparedness throughout September.
The month has been declared National Preparedness Month, and though agencies focus on emergency management year-round, officials are placing extra emphasis on simple ways residents can stay prepared for any disaster.
Deputy Mike O'Neal of the Platte County Sheriff's Office said there were several small precautions residents could take to stay prepared. He said having a safety kit with food and water in all automobiles and designating a meeting place for after a disaster were essential components to emergency preparedness.
“This biggest thing is to make a plan, be prepared and be safe,” O'Neal said.
Last year, health agencies were alerting individuals to prepare for an impending flu pandemic. Although the alarm has seemingly ceased, O'Neal said that residents should still be prepared for such an occurrence.
“We want people to be prepared for avian flu,” O'Neal said. “They need to be aware that it's out there.”
O'Neal said a new Web site was generated to give residents access to further preparedness tips. The Web site is www.preparekcmetro.org.
Adam Crowe of the Platte County Health Department said it was important to have a supply of water and nonperishable foods in the event of an emergency.
“For traditional emergencies, such as a tornado or flood, you should have three days worth of food and water for every person that will be in the household,” Crowe said. “For something like a pandemic, you should have provisions for at least 14 days.”
Crowe also said preparing for a potential pandemic was still an issue residents should be concerned with.
“All the reasons to be concerned are still there,” Crowe said. “I would set the standard of trying to be healthy in general. The healthier you are, the more likely you can fend off any sort of disease outbreak.”
Susan Hoskins, health services and emergency response manager, said other advancements were being made to improve emergency preparedness year-round.
Hoskins said the department was continuing to seek volunteers to assist with the Mid-America Medical Reserve Corps. With about 200 members, the group is composed of medical and nonmedical residents who provide assistance during emergency situations.
“We're always looking for not only greater ways to help the public become prepared, but ways the health department can serve our emergency managers in response to a disaster or emergency,” Hoskins said. “Every month is preparedness month. What we don't want the public to think is that it is only in September.”
For more information, visit www.kcmedicalreservecorps.org or call 858-2412.
Staff writer Jared Hoffmann can be reached at 389-6636 or jaredhoffmann@npgco.com.
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The month has been declared National Preparedness Month, and though agencies focus on emergency management year-round, officials are placing extra emphasis on simple ways residents can stay prepared for any disaster.
Deputy Mike O'Neal of the Platte County Sheriff's Office said there were several small precautions residents could take to stay prepared. He said having a safety kit with food and water in all automobiles and designating a meeting place for after a disaster were essential components to emergency preparedness.
“This biggest thing is to make a plan, be prepared and be safe,” O'Neal said.
Last year, health agencies were alerting individuals to prepare for an impending flu pandemic. Although the alarm has seemingly ceased, O'Neal said that residents should still be prepared for such an occurrence.
“We want people to be prepared for avian flu,” O'Neal said. “They need to be aware that it's out there.”
O'Neal said a new Web site was generated to give residents access to further preparedness tips. The Web site is www.preparekcmetro.org.
Adam Crowe of the Platte County Health Department said it was important to have a supply of water and nonperishable foods in the event of an emergency.
“For traditional emergencies, such as a tornado or flood, you should have three days worth of food and water for every person that will be in the household,” Crowe said. “For something like a pandemic, you should have provisions for at least 14 days.”
Crowe also said preparing for a potential pandemic was still an issue residents should be concerned with.
“All the reasons to be concerned are still there,” Crowe said. “I would set the standard of trying to be healthy in general. The healthier you are, the more likely you can fend off any sort of disease outbreak.”
Susan Hoskins, health services and emergency response manager, said other advancements were being made to improve emergency preparedness year-round.
Hoskins said the department was continuing to seek volunteers to assist with the Mid-America Medical Reserve Corps. With about 200 members, the group is composed of medical and nonmedical residents who provide assistance during emergency situations.
“We're always looking for not only greater ways to help the public become prepared, but ways the health department can serve our emergency managers in response to a disaster or emergency,” Hoskins said. “Every month is preparedness month. What we don't want the public to think is that it is only in September.”
For more information, visit www.kcmedicalreservecorps.org or call 858-2412.
Staff writer Jared Hoffmann can be reached at 389-6636 or jaredhoffmann@npgco.com.