(Las Cruces, NM) – September is National Preparedness Month. This national campaign is a month-long effort hosted by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Ready.Gov Campaign. This year’s theme, “Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today,” emphasizes the importance of making a plan before disaster strikes and ensuring that your plan is discussed and practiced.
David Almaguer, Emergency Management Supervisor for the Doña Ana County/City of Las Cruces Office of Emergency Management (OEM), states that the OEM’s goal is for residents of Doña Ana County to take a proactive approach to emergency preparedness this month. The OEM is asking residents to get informed about the hazards facing Doña Ana County, make a plan to address what to do during an emergency, and build a kit to be ready. Being prepared for an emergency means that you would be able to be self-reliant for at least three days without utilities, water service, sewer services, access to supermarkets or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue.
Preparing can start with four important steps:
· Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community and neighborhood
· Identify where you can get sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during, and after an emergency
· Make a plan for what you will do in an emergency
· Build an emergency supply kit for your home, car, and work
Get familiar with the hazards facing Doña Ana County; even lifelong residents may not be fully aware of the potential hazards we face. For more information about what to consider for specific emergencies visit:https://www.ready.gov/prepare-for-emergencies. The Doña Ana County Local Emergency Planning Committee has information pertaining to natural hazards specific to the county available on their website atwww.donaanalepc.org under the Local Hazards link.
Ensure that each member of your family knows where to go to get important life safety and official and up-to-date disaster information. Take advantage of social media, and like or follow official news media outlets, local and state emergency management agencies, and the National Weather Service. Subscribe to weather alerts on your smart phone and maintain up to date contact phone numbers for your family and others you may need to connect with. Residents should make sure they are registered to receive Reverse 911 community notifications from Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority (MVRDA). To register your cell number, e-mail address, or to opt-in to receive text messages, visit the self-registration portal at:https://mvrda.onthealert.com/Terms/Index/?ReturnUrl=%2f. Another way to receive community safety alert information is by way of the Nixle Connect Notification System. To register, visit: http://www.nixle.com/and enter your zip code to begin the sign-up process.
Make an emergency communications plan that includes information about where your family will meet if a disaster strikes and how you will communicate with one another. Establish a contact person that family members can call to notify they are safe. Keep up to date prescription and medical information about each member of your family and other special medical or functional access needs, as well as planning for the needs of your pets, in mind as you plan. To assist you in making your own plan, www.Ready.gov has identified clear steps to take to start your emergency communication plan and downloadable templates available at: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.
Build an emergency supply kit at home that includes the essential food items and supplies you will need to survive a disaster situation. Include basic first aid items, flashlights with extra batteries, a NOAA weather radio, personal hygiene items and an extra set of clothes, a warm blanket and basic tools, pet supplies, and cash in case credit and debit cards cannot be used. Additionally, a 3-day supply of non-perishable food items for each member of your family should be part of your kit, as well as one gallon of water per person per day. More details about what to include in a basic disaster supplies kit is available at:https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Visit the Doña Ana County/City of Las Cruces OEM’s website at www.donaanacounty.org/emergency more information and resources about what you can do to be before, during, and after a disaster. The OEM provides preparedness presentations to local business, schools, community groups, and associations on request. For more information about National Preparedness Month, or to request a preparedness presentation, contact the Doña Ana County/City of Las Cruces OEM at (575) 647-7900.
About The Doña Ana County/City of Las Cruces OEM
The Doña Ana County/City of Las Cruces Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides emergency management services for all of Doña Ana County. The OEM develops guidelines for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation to natural disasters, man-made incidents, and technological threats. It serves as the liaison between the state and all local government subdivisions. In the event of a major catastrophe, the OEM will activate its Emergency Operations Center to facilitate a coordinated response by all representatives from organizations that are assigned emergency response duties, as well as governmental departments who have a stake in preserving life and protecting property. The OEM works to engage the community at large, including local governments, businesses, and residents, in taking a proactive role in emergency planning and preparedness through outreach at community events and emergency preparedness presentations.