what is ready virginia?
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What is Ready Virginia?. A statewide public education campaign that encourages Virginians to prepare for emergencies and disasters Patterned on the national Ready campaign sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and The Advertising Council - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What is Ready Virginia?
• A statewide public education campaign that encourages Virginians to prepare for emergencies and disasters
• Patterned on the national Ready campaign sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and The Advertising Council
• Goal is to increase Virginia’s level of preparedness by getting residents involved
National Preparedness Month• September 2009 is the sixth annual
National Preparedness Month.
• Ready Virginia supports NPM and encourages public and private organizations to register as Coalition members and to sponsor events.
• The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is a Coalition member.
• Go to www.ready.gov to register. Then you have access to the NPM Web site and toolkit of templates and tips for promoting emergency preparedness.
NPM 2009 Goal
• To change perceptions about emergency preparedness and help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready
• There is a disconnect in Virginia and the nation. People believe they are ready, but they are not.
Perception vs. Reality
• 71% of Virginians do not have four essentials, which indicate a minimum level of preparedness:
• Three days’ pre-packaged food
• Three days’ water (gallon/person/day)
• Working battery powered radio with NOAA weather band and extra batteries
• Written family emergency plan
During NPM 2009, We Can … • … challenge people’s belief that they are
adequately prepared or can improvise in a disaster/emergency
• … recast personal responsibility in a new light, reminding Virginians that they are “their own first responder”
• … ask Virginians: Are you ready? Are you really Ready?
Why Is Preparedness Important?
• Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility.
• Everyone should have a personal response plan for a disaster.
• Everyone should know who their first responders are at the local and state levels.
• Everyone should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least the first 72 hours.
Let’s Start With a Family Plan• You may not be together when an
emergency happens. Sit down as a family and plan in advance what you will do in an emergency and how you will get in touch with each other. Write it down.
• ReadyVirginia.gov has a template to help you get started.
Consider This in Your Plan• Older Americans and Individuals with
Disabilities or Other Special Needs • Develop an emergency plan that considers
each person’s needs, including a personal support network to call on in the event of an emergency.
• Pets • Plan with neighbors, friends or
relatives to make sure someone is available to care for, or evacuate, your pets if you are unable to do so.
Now Let’s Get Supplies
• Include basic supplies for your family and pets for three days.
• Think about preparing two kits: one for home and a smaller portable kit to take with you if you have to leave.
Emergency Supply KitThe larger at-home kit should include:
Three day supply of food
• Non-perishable - not requiring refrigeration, cooking or water for preparation
• Examples: canned food, granola bars
• Include a manual can opener, if necessary
Three day supply of water
• One gallon per person and pet per day for three days
• Store in clean, sealed plastic bottles
• Need for water can vary based on climate and special needs
Emergency Supply Kit
Radio
• Battery-powered
• With NOAA weather alert function
• Extra batteries
Flashlight
• Extra batteries
First Aid Kit
• With specific items for your family/personal needs
Whistle
• To signal for help if trapped
Wrench or Pliers
• To turn off utilities if necessary
Pet Supplies
• If you have a pet, include pet supplies in your emergency supply kit:
• Food
• Water
• Medicine
• Medical records
• Collar with ID tag
• Harness or leash
• Crate or other pet carrier
• Familiar items such as toys, treats and bedding
• Picture of you with your pet for identification purposes
Stay or Go?• In some situations authorities may
urge you to evacuate.
• Hurricane, flood, fire, etc.
• Know where you are going before you leave. Plan now!
• In other situations, staying where you are and avoiding danger is best.
• If air is contaminated or there are large amounts of debris in the air
• Listen to instructions from local emergency management officials.
Evacuating• Know where you are going. Make a plan.
Choose several destinations in different directions.
• Plan driving routes. Have maps and alternate routes.
• If you do not have a car, know your public transportation options.
• Take your emergency supply kit.• Take your pets. Plan in advance for pet friendly
lodging.
Shelter-in-place
• Get inside.
• Close and lock doors, windows, air vents and fireplace.
• Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.
• Go into an interior room with few windows. Bring your pets with you.
• Take your emergency supply kit.
• Seal all windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
Stay Informed
• Learn more about:
• Different types of emergencies and their appropriate responses
• The emergencies that are more likely to affect your area of Virginia
• Emergency plans in your community
• Citizen Corps brings community members and organizations together in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery.
• Contact Virginia’s Citizen Corps program manager, to find out more about outreach and education, training and exercises, and volunteer programs.
• (804) 897-6500, ext. 6594
• OR contact your local Citizen Corps Council. Go to www.citizencorps.gov for more.
Get Involved
Get Ready today!
• To learn more about how to prepare yourself and your family, visit www.ReadyVirginia.gov and www.ListoVirginia.gov