As part of National Preparedness Month, Livingston County officials are encouraging residents to take proactive steps in preparing for disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme, “Start a Conversation,” emphasizes the importance of discussing emergency plans with family, friends, and neighbors to raise awareness and promote safety.
The county’s Office of Emergency Management is calling on residents to create an emergency preparedness plan, starting with a basic supply checklist. Andrew Brodell, the county’s Director of Emergency Management, stressed that taking personal responsibility for preparedness can have a positive impact on the entire community.
“Preparedness is a responsibility we should all share,” Brodell said. “By simply planning ahead, we can keep our families safe in the face of unexpected emergencies, and reduce stress on our emergency response system during times of county-wide crisis. If you haven’t already, I encourage everyone reading this to start developing your own emergency preparedness plan with your family today.”
Steps to stay informed and prepared
In addition to making an emergency plan, Brodell recommended that residents sign up for NY-ALERT, a free service from New York State that provides real-time critical information and emergency alerts. The system allows users to customize the alerts they receive, including warnings about severe weather, road closures, and building evacuations.
According to the NYS Citizens Preparedness Corps, families should be ready to survive independently for at least 10 days in the event of a disaster. During emergencies, essential services like electricity, heat, air conditioning, and telephone communication may be unreliable or unavailable. Being prepared in advance can mitigate the challenges faced during such situations.
Medical Reserve Corps seeking volunteers
In an effort to strengthen the county’s emergency response capabilities, the Livingston County Department of Health is actively recruiting volunteers for its Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC is a key initiative aimed at ensuring trained personnel are available to assist in times of crisis.
For more information on how to become an MRC volunteer, residents can visit the Department of Health’s website.
National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that planning and readiness are crucial in minimizing the impact of disasters and protecting the community.
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