For Immediate Release:
September 11, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Missouri Residents Urged to Prepare in Advance of Emergencies September is National Preparedness Month

JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services urges residents to take time out of their busy schedules during the month of September to make a family emergency plan and prepare an emergency kit.  The department reminds Missourians that emergencies could affect anyone. Tornadoes, fires, floods, storms, power outages, or even terrorist attacks or a pandemic influenza can leave little time to gather the essentials needed if you must leave your home, and residents might not have enough supplies on hand if they must remain in their home for several days. By assuring that supplies such as adequate water, nutritional foods, and essential medications are available, families can maintain their health and well-being throughout an emergency.

“Many Missourians were directly affected by or knew someone whose life was impacted by the weather-related events that swept through the state over the past year,” said Jane Drummond, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “The ice storms, power outages, heat waves and tornadoes reminded each of us how important it is to be prepared for emergencies.  Families and friends, along with communities and emergency responders, pulled together during these difficult times to help each other.”

 “With September designated as National Preparedness Month, now is a good time to talk about your family’s plan and put together the supplies that may be needed in an emergency situation, ” added Drummond.

The department’s recommendation is part of its Ready in 3 emergency preparedness initiative to remind Missourians of what they can do at home, school and work to prepare for emergencies.  “We can’t predict what will happen, but we can be prepared,” said Drummond.  Disasters can happen at anytime or any place, and Ready in 3 provides three simple steps to prepare for an emergency situation:

1. Create a plan for you, your family, and your business. Your family might not be together when an emergency happens. That’s why it is important to have a plan in place. Talk about how you will reach each other in different situations. Make sure everyone in the family can get to a safe place and find each other in the event of an emergency. For instance, it is a great idea to designate two family meeting places, one in the neighborhood and one farther away, and to select two emergency contacts, including one out-of-state contact, in case local phone lines are jammed.
2. Prepare an emergency kit for your home, car and at work. If an emergency happens, you might not be able to get food or water for days or even weeks, and your electricity may not be working. The following items should be part of your emergency kit and kept in a container that can be easily carried:

• Water and canned or dried food - families should set aside one gallon of water per person per day, to last three days, and a three-day supply of food per person. The food should be nonperishable items that don’t need to be cooked, such as tuna and crackers. Remember to include a manual can opener. If there’s an infant in the house, include formula and baby food.
• Battery-powered radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries for the radio and flashlight
• Prescription medications
• First-aid kit

The department recommends that you check your emergency kit when season’s change to ensure food and water haven’t exceeded their expiration dates and batteries are still working.

3. Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an actual emergency. City, county, and state officials have developed emergency plans. In the event of an actual emergency, it’s important to follow their instructions and advice.

The Ready in 3 Family Safety Guide explains these steps in more detail and provides an emergency kit checklist. Through the Ready in 3 program, residents, schools, faith-based groups, adult care facilities, child care providers, employers and others in local communities can receive tools and resources designed specifically for them on steps they can take to prepare for emergencies of all kinds.  The Ready in 3 resources are free and many are available in multiple languages.  Missouri residents are urged to go to the department’s web site at www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3 or call 573.526.4768 for to order the Ready in 3 materials.  

Throughout the year, the department works with local public health agencies, schools, child care providers, adult care facilities, faith-based groups, Citizen Corps Councils, other state agencies, emergency responders, the Missouri General Assembly, senior centers, employers, community groups and the American Red Cross to raise awareness on the importance of planning in advance of emergencies.

 “The resources and tools provided through the Ready in 3 program have given us the opportunity to educate Missouri’s communities, employees and their families about steps they can take now to prepare for emergencies of all kinds.  This program clearly defines steps Missourians can take to protect their friends and family before an emergency does occur,” said  Drummond.

The Ready in 3 program is part of ongoing efforts to improve the state’s ability to respond to emergencies or disasters.  “You can play a very important part in getting yourself, your family and your community ready for emergency situations,” said Drummond.  “By taking the three basic steps in the Ready in 3 program, you will help alleviate stress during emergencies and help the response agencies do their jobs.”

National Preparedness Month, held each September and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, encourages Americans to prepare for emergencies of all kinds in their homes, businesses, schools and communities.  The goal is to educate Americans about the importance of emergency preparedness and encourage individuals to take action.