As the year turns into fall, we have reached the anniversary of one of our nation’s biggest tragedies: September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of 9/11, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched National Preparedness Month. The 2024 theme is “Start a Conversation”. Talking to your family and employees is crucial to ensuring that you have a a plan in place and are ready to stay safe during an emergency.
The primary emphases of National Preparedness Month are emergency planning, disaster kits and staying informed. An emergency plan has four primary parts: a sheltering plan, an evacuation route, a communication plan, and a disaster kit. Families should personalize their plans, considering ages, dietary restrictions, medications and more. This will ensure the family stays as safe as possible in an emergency.
Your disaster kit should include:
- Water
- Food
- First Aid Kit
- Medications and medical items
- A battery-powered radio with batteries
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
Staying informed is crucial. You can do this by signing up for emergency alerts on your phone. There are several apps you can download such as the FEMA app, American Red Cross app and the Weather Channel app.
Just as important as having a plan for home safety, businesses should be prepared to deal with emergencies, such as severe weather, fire, etc. Having your Emergency Action Plan updated to include certain types of emergencies such as severe weather will go a long way in protecting your employees.
Compliance Management International (CMI) can help prepare your businesses to deal with all types of emergency situations and make sure your employees go home the same way they came in.
