TN Homeland Security & TEMA Ask “Are You Ready or Are You READY?”

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security (OHS) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is marking the start of National Preparedness Month (NPM) by asking Tennesseans, “Are you ready or you READY”. NPM is held annually in September to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness. OHS & TEMA encourages all Tennesseans to take the simple, yet necessary, steps to make sure they are ready for emergencies.

 

“Being ready for an emergency goes beyond making sure the batteries in your smoke detector work or that you have extra food in your pantry,” said Dave Mitchell, Department of Safety Commissioner and OHS Director. “Emergency preparedness includes assembling an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, staying informed, and getting involved in your community preparedness efforts.”

 

The first step toward emergency preparedness is creating a basic emergency supply kit. It should include at least a three-day supply of basic necessities, such as water, non-perishable food and any special needs of family members, such as prescription medications. A list of items recommended for a basic emergency supply kit is included with this release.

 

Keep in mind that your family may not be together when disaster strikes. That’s why it’s important to create a family emergency plan in advance so you will know how to contact one another, how you will get back together, and what to do in different situations.

 

Visit www.tn.gov/homelandsecurity each day during National Preparedness Month for a tip on how to enhance your own emergency preparedness.

 

“Think of yourself as your own first responder,” added TEMA Director James Bassham. “Tennessee fire fighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and other first responders are second to none. But when a true disaster strikes, the resources of first responders are stretched incredibly thin. By having an emergency supply kit and a family plan, you’ll be better prepared to care for your loved ones until help arrives.”

 

It’s also important you stay informed about the emergencies that can happen in your region and community and how to respond to them. In Tennessee there is potential for a wide range of natural disasters that span the seasons, including tornadoes, flooding, snow storms and earthquakes. Man made disasters, including acts of terrorism, also remain a valid threat for our state and the country. Contact your local emergency management office with specific questions.

 

Finally, Tennesseans are encouraged to get involved in community efforts through OHS’s Tennessee Citizen Corps programs, which provides local opportunities for Tennesseans of all abilities to prepare, train and volunteer to help address all types of natural and man-made hazards. In Tennessee five programs fall under the Citizen Corps umbrella, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training, Fire Corps, Medical Reserve Corps, Neighborhood Watch and Volunteers in Police Service. For more information, visit www.citizencorps.gov.

 

“Tennessee’s homeland security begins with hometown security. You can make a difference in the preparedness and security of your community through participation in one of the many Citizen Corps programs,” said Anna Smith, Tennessee Citizens Corp Program Coordinator. “National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to take an active role in emergency preparedness through one of the Citizen Corps program in your area.”

 

National Preparedness Month is sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign and is held each September to raise public awareness about emergency preparedness. Ready is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation. Visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY for additional information.