September 15, 2020 – Today, at its regularly scheduled meeting, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed September as National Preparedness month. The Commissioners, along with the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM), recognized the ongoing need for citizens to be prepared for disasters such as wildfires, floods, blizzards or other emergencies.
“Disasters don’t wait. Because there is no good time for a disaster, you should always be prepared said,” Jim Reid, Director of Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management. “There is no time like the present, don’t wait for the pandemic to end. Take some steps now so you and your family can get through a disaster successfully.”
Sponsored by the National Ready Campaign, this year’s National Preparedness Month promotes family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As the nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved. Citizens are encouraged to:
- Make A Plan – Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.
- Build A Kit – Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly.
- Prepare for Disasters – Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.
- Teach Youth About Preparedness – Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated.
The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management makes preparedness a year-round effort, offering such programs as Citizen Emergency Response Training (CERT), Ready and Resilient Neighborhoods, Wildfire Preparedness Workshops and fostering partnerships with government, community, nonprofit and other organizations to make sure the region is ready in case of a disaster.
To learn more about PPROEM’s preparedness programs and exercises, visit www.epcoem.com or call 719-575-8858.
To learn more about National Preparedness Month, go to https://www.ready.gov/september.