Posted by: Dennis Hinkamp on Sep 6, 2012
September is Preparedness Month
|USU Extension associate professor|
|USU Extension writer|
USU Extension Offers Resources for National Preparedness Month
LOGAN, UT – Each year, disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives in the United States and throughout the world, leaving lasting impacts. According to the American Red Cross, however, less than half of Americans have an emergency preparedness plan in place.
“When people are prepared, fear, anxiety and losses that accompany disasters are reduced,” said Carolyn Washburn, USU Extension associate professor. “September marks the ninth annual National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign led by FEMA to encourage all Americans to take the necessary steps toward emergency preparedness.”
To assist Utahns with disaster preparation, USU Extension offers many resources to encourage the development of family preparedness plans.
The Extension Disaster Education Network at eden.lsu.edu/ offers disaster preparation tips and information on such topics as drought, fire, floods, hurricanes, swine influenza, West Nile virus, financial preparation, family preparation and animal health.
In addition, the USU Extension site, fire.usu.edu, was created specifically because of the extreme fire danger in Utah this year. The site offers information in wildfire preparation, fire wise tips for the home and landscape and rangeland fire resources.
Washburn said there are several USU Extension-sponsored preparedness events going on around the state this month. The Washington County Community Preparedness Expo is held Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a keynote address, workshops, preparedness vendors and information booths. Further information can be found at washco.utah.gov/emergencyservices/expo.php.
Salt Lake County Extension offers an emergency preparedness class titled “Preparing Your Important Papers for Emergencies” Monday, Sept. 17, at the Salt Lake County Government Center from noon to 1 p.m. The class is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. Further information can be found at extension.usu.edu/SALTLAKE.
Other events are going on around the state during National Preparedness Month. Check with local county Extension offices for specific county information and events.
Washburn said it is wise for all families to make a plan, have a 72-hour kit on hand for each family member and become educated on preparation for specific emergencies and disasters.
“Preparation reduces a great amount of anxiety and fear,” she said. “September is a good month to focus on getting your family prepared.”