Heroes Among Us — The Newnan Times-Herald — 23
HEROES 2023
FROM THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Educaang students in grades K-8
Family emergency preparedness crucial in case of disaster BY NIC BURGESS
Coweta EMA Coordinator
As we all have experienced, disasters can and will occur at any time. The EF4 tornado that impacted our community on March 25, 2021, is an unforgettable reminder of the importance of individual and family emergency preparedness. When the th re at is i m m i nent a nd on ly moments away, it is the planning and preparations you make now that can protect you and your family. What is your family’s emergency pla n? Do you have a n emergency preparedness kit? Are you i nt er e s t e d i n CE RT t r a i n i n g? Many of these aspects may seem simple, implied or even rudimentary, but in the moment of chaos, even the simplest of tasks can become difficult.
Have a plan It is important that you and members of your family have an understanding of what to do before, during and after an emergency. Emergency preparedness can be strengthened by considering three questions:
1. W h at a r e t he t h r e at s t h at make us vulnerable? 2. What are our immediate responses to those threats? 3. How ca n we m itigate these threats?
Build an emergency preparedness kit You r emer genc y k it shou ld b e u n ique t o you a nd you r f a m i ly. Wh i le t her e a r e s ever a l gener a l items that we recommend including such as water, flashlights and a first aid kit, we all have different needs. Discuss with your family what items are critical to each member and how these can be included. As we reflect on the tornado, consider including the following in your kit: shoes, portable cell phone chargers, a copy of ID for each person, headlamp flashlights, a list of family phone numbers, toys for children and a list of medications. Additional emergency preparedness kit information is available at www.ready.gov.
Enroll in CERT training CERT, or Community Emergency Response Team, training is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. Basic CERT training is an eight-week training course hosted twice a year by the Coweta County Emergency Management Agency. CERT trains the public in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue. Classes are scheduled on Thursdays from 6-8:30 p.m. with several of the classes being instructed by local first responders with extensive experience responding to emergencies in Coweta County. At the conclusion of the training, a disaster exercise is held to provide the participants with an opportunity to apply the skills taught in the classroom portion of the training. For more information, visit www. coweta.ga.us or contact the Coweta C ou nt y E mergency M a n a gement Agency at 770-254-5809.
Coweta Charter Academy at Senoia (CCAs) is a tuiion-free public school open to students in Coweta, Meriwether, & Spalding Counies. APPLY ONLINE AT
CowteaCharter.org For More Informaaon Call
770-599-0228
@CowetaCharter
Coweta Charter Academy complies with all applicable state and federal laws regarding non-discrimination in employment and educational programs and services. Georgia Charter Educational Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin or age regarding employment or educational programs and activities.
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