National Preparedness Month: Preparing before disaster strikes

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY, Pa. — Emergencies rarely come with much warning, but Pennsylvania officials say a little preparation now can make a major difference when disaster strikes. During National Preparedness Month in September, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is encouraging residents to follow three key steps: Be informed, be prepared and be involved. Know the risks Preparedness begins with understanding the hazards most likely to affect a community, such as severe weather, flooding and winter storms. Knowing which emergencies are most common in your area can help your family make informed decisions and respond quickly when conditions become dangerous. Make an emergency plan PEMA recommends that families create an emergency plan and discuss how they would respond if they needed to evacuate or shelter in place. Every household plan should explain how family members will communicate during an emergency and where they will meet if they become separated. Plans should also account for pets, older adults, people with disabilities and anyone else who may need additional assistance. Emergency supply kit Officials also recommend keeping basic supplies on hand, including food, water and other necessities your family may need during an emergency. It's also advised to protect important documents. Pennsylvania officials recommend keeping copies of financial records, insurance policies, deeds, titles and other important paperwork in a secure location that can be accessed if your home or electronic devices are damaged. Access to reliable information is another important part of emergency planning. Residents should ensure they can receive local alerts and be prepared to follow instructions from emergency management officials. PEMA's Ready PA program offers planning resources, including the Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide in multiple languages and formats. Preparedness is not limited to first responders, the agency emphasized. Individuals and families also play an important role in making Pennsylvania communities safer and more resilient. For more preparedness information, visit Ready PA and learn how to make a plan before an emergency strikes. U.S. Forest Service shuts down 23 facilities, including one in York County Make WGAL a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Make WGAL a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source