September is National Preparedness Month and the Highland County Emergency Management Agency is offering a FEMA-developed, week-by-week calendar of recommended actions property owners can take to be ready if disaster strikes.
According to Highland County EMA Director David Bushelman, the schedule is as follows:
- Week 1. Create an emergency plan that includes signing up for emergency alerts and making contingency plans for shelter, evacuation, and family communication.
- Week 2. Learn life-saving skills. CPR is a good place to start, but also be certain you know how to turn off the utilities in your home and ensure your smoke and CO detectors are properly installed and working.
- Week 3. Check your insurance coverage. Once the emergency is over, appropriate and sufficient insurance will be key to getting your life back to normal, or at least on track.
- Week 4. Plan financially for the possibility of a disaster. This goes beyond having a “rainy day fund” for immediate needs. Gather and organize important home, business, insurance, financial, and personal documents and keep them up-to-date and stored in a secure, water-and-fire proof location.
To learn more about the week-by-week disaster preparedness plan, simply contact the Highland County Emergency Managment Agency.