Whitfield County EMA urging residents to get disaster plan in place for National Preparedness Month

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – The Whitfield County Emergency Management is urging residents to get disaster plan in place for National Preparedness Month.

They hope that residents will get prepared for a disaster before it happens.

The annual campaign “Ready America” is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

National Preparedness Month was founded after 9/11 to increase awareness and encourage action for emergency preparedness nationwide.

“National Preparedness Month is an ideal time for all residents to revisit their emergency preparedness efforts,” said Amy Ramsey, emergency management coordinator at Whitfield County EMA. “Everyone can recall a recent disaster that has occurred. We should learn from the past and prepare for the future by learning about local risks, making a plan and building an emergency kit — before a disaster happens.”

This year’s theme is “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.” Whitfield County EMA outlined there plan for every week of September:

• Week 1 (Sept. 1-8): “Make and Practice Your Plan”: Make (or update) your emergency plan, and practice it.

• Week 2 (Sept. 9-15): “Learn Lifesaving Skills”: Learn basic skills to protect yourself, your family and your home.

• Week 3 (Sept. 16-22): “Check Your Insurance Coverage”: Check your insurance coverage to make sure you are protected for any disaster.

• Week 4 (Sept. 23-30): “Save for an Emergency”: Complete an emergency financial first aid kit, and maintain an emergency savings.

For more information about local National Preparedness Month activities, contact Whitfield County Emergency Management at ema@whitfieldcountyga.com or (706) 259-3730.

The first event is planned for September 4th. It is called “Preparedness on a Dime- Preparing Without Breaking the Bank.”

It will be held at the Whitfield County Recreation Department at 115 Edwards Park, Dalton, Georgia. It is planned for 6:30.  Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RWX7BB7

You can find more information about the events here.

More information about how to create a plan is here.