Health officials encourage emergency preparedness
Henrico health officials are encouraging residents to take steps to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies as part of National Preparedness Month.
Sept. 15 is Get Ready Day, an annual observance designed to promote emergency preparedness. Officials with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts noted that the region has experienced a variety of severe weather events in recent years, including ice storms, extreme heat and hazardous air quality caused by wildfire smoke.
“Being prepared doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” said Alyssa Lewis, RHHD’s local health emergency coordinator. “Taking a few small steps today can make a big difference when the unexpected happens. Build peace of mind by creating a family communication plan, assembling an emergency kit, and signing up for local alerts.”
Henrico residents can register for the county’s emergency notification system, which can send critical emergency information to cell phones, other mobile devices and email addresses. The system is used for life-safety situations such as evacuation orders, hazardous-material incidents, boil-water notices and searches for missing people.
Lewis also recommends that families make an emergency plan and assemble an emergency kit. Henrico health officials recommend that emergency kits contain enough food and water for each household member for at least 48 to 72 hours, along with necessary medications and medical supplies.
Families also should gather important documents – such as birth certificates, citizenship papers and backup medical prescriptions – and keep them in a secure location near an exit, preferably in a fireproof box. Digital copies of important documents should be stored separately, and households should include pets in their emergency planning.
Parents are encouraged to discuss emergencies with their children, establish a plan for reuniting if family members become separated and make sure children know which trusted adults to contact and how to reach emergency services when necessary. Ready.gov offers preparedness resources for children.
Residents also are encouraged to discuss emergency planning with neighbors, particularly those who may need additional assistance, and to practice household emergency plans periodically.
Henrico County offers a Community Preparedness Guide with local information about preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies.
Additional information is available through Henrico County Emergency Management and Ready.gov.
