Are You Ready?
September is National Preparedness Month, a month-long initiative that serves as a reminder to take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, learn, and worship.
It’s important that you know what to do to prepare yourself and your family BEFORE a disaster knocks on our door.
- Make a plan. The fundamentals of any emergency plan include identifying someone to call, picking somewhere to meet, and deciding what to pack. Remember that emergencies affect everyone differently, so be sure your plan best suits your needs. We can only be effective at our jobs when we have the peace of mind that comes from knowing our homes and our families (including pets) are safe and well-prepared to cope with disruptions.
- Stay informed. Get the latest NYC emergency information via text, phone, email, fax, Twitter (@NotifyNYC), BlackBerry Messenger, and instant messenger, just to name a few. Also, download the FEMA App, which will put a ton of resources for you and your family, as well as alerts and warnings, directly into the palm of your hand.
- Build a kit. Assemble and maintain an emergency kit with all the important items you and your family will need if you have to be on your own without services for 3-5 days or if you have to leave your home suddenly.
For more tips on how to be prepared, to download the toolkit, or to get additional information, visit NYCHA’s Office of Emergency Management’s webpage at on.nyc.gov/nycha-oem.
As the events in south Texas and western Louisiana are demonstrating, a disaster can happen quickly and without warning. Advanced preparation and practicing your personal emergency plan with family members can better enable you to survive disruptions and recover more quickly.
