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 threat is imminent and only moments away, it is the planning and preparations you make now that can protect you and your family.

What is your family’s emergency plan? Do you have an emergency preparedness kit? Are you interested in CERT training? 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. What are the threats that make us vulnerable?

2. What are our immediate responses to those threats?

3. How can we mitigate these threats?

Build an preparednessemergency kit

Your emergency kit should be unique to you and your family. While there are several general 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 County Emergency Management Agency at 770-254-5809.