Wisconsin Emergency Management National Preparedness Month Encourages Wisconsinites to Be Ready for Disasters
MADISON, Wis. – Every area of Wisconsin can face disasters, and it is important to have a planned response whether you are at home, work, school or on the road. To help all Wisconsinites be ready for any emergency, Governor Tony Evers has declared September Preparedness Month in Wisconsin. ReadyWisconsin encourages everyone to spend time developing a disaster plan.
“Preparedness is not about expecting the worst, but to give people the best chance to overcome a disaster,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “We cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we can face it.”
Preparedness starts by knowing your risk and what could happen where you and your loved ones live, work, or go to school. This includes making a plan on how you will receive emergency alerts or warnings, where to go if your home is no longer safe, and how to get to a safe location. Part of emergency planning includes creating a communication plan on how to reconnect with loved ones, family, or friends.
Along with creating a plan, people should consider what they may need to survive a disaster for several days. This is done by creating or updating an emergency kit. Items in your kit should be in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag. Your supplies should also be in airtight plastic bags to ensure they aren’t damaged. People can learn more on what to put in an emergency kit at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov/make-a-kit/.
Preparedness Month is recognized every September across the country as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign. This year’s campaign theme is Americans Stand Ready, which echoes the patriotic sentiment surrounding the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
“We are stronger when we prepare and work together as a community to become more resilient,” said Engle. “Checking on neighbors and teaching children the importance of looking out for others may seem like small actions, but together it creates a difference when disaster strikes.”
Some ways to boost community resilience include:
- Learning first aid or CPR to provide assistance until first responders arrive.
- Having more than one way to get emergency alerts. This may include enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts on your devices or signing up for local mass notification systems.
- Knowing your neighbors, especially older adults, people with disabilities, and those living alone so you can check on each other during emergencies. Think if there is a group chat, phone tree, or similar communication system and how to update it.
- Volunteering with community emergency organizations or disaster response groups to support recovery efforts.
- Sharing reliable information during a disaster to avoid spreading rumors or misinformation.
- Be aware of common frauds and scams that occur after a disaster.
About ReadyWisconsin
ReadyWisconsin is a public service campaign of Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. In alignment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security‘s national Ready campaign, ReadyWisconsin aims to educate and empower Wisconsinites to prepare for and respond to both natural and human-made emergencies, while engaging the public and boosting basic preparedness statewide.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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