North Little Rock – September is National Preparedness Month and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) encourages citizens to be prepared for any type of disaster.
ADEM Director David Maxwell says that it is important for Arkansans to prepare for disaster.
“Protecting ourselves in a disaster starts with planning. This year in Arkansas we have seen ice storms, floods and devastating tornadoes. It is important for all citizens to remember that preparedness starts at home. By taking a few simple steps we can all be better prepared.”
The following actions are recommended by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management:
1. Prepare a personal or family disaster plan. The plan should include a meeting place where you can go if you are separated during a disaster and an out-of-state contact to notify by telephone. Once you reach your point of contact, you should stay off the telephone. For more information on Family Disaster Plans, visit www.adem.arkansas.gov.
2. Prepare a disaster supply kit. The kit should include food and water to sustain you and your family for 72 hours (don’t forget pets), a first aid kit, a change of clothing, tools to turn off water and gas lines, and copies of important documents. A large kit should be kept in the house and a smaller kit should be placed in the trunk of each vehicle you own.
3. Be Informed. An important step to preparing for disaster is being aware of the potential of specific emergencies in your area. Arkansas has a wide range of potential emergencies and it is important that citizens are informed about all possibilities.
The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700.
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