Citizens Perceived Preparedness Doesn’t Match Measures Taken

   The 2009 CITIZEN CORPS NATIONAL SURVEY, a report released by FEMA in August that evaluates the nation’s progress on personal preparedness, indicates that perceived emergency preparedness among citizens can differ from the actual measures they’ve taken.

   The report highlighted an important finding from the Citizen Preparedness Surveys Database – which contains 102 surveys on individual preparedness, 29 surveys on business preparedness and 11 surveys on school preparedness. The report said, “In nearly all cases, these surveys substantiate that the proportion of those who have taken appropriate preparedness measures is much lower than those that indicate that they are prepared.”

   Participants were asked to identify potential reasons for not preparing, and 30 percent said the primary reason was that they thought emergency responders would help them in the event of a disaster. Respondents also were asked, “What is the main reason you have not received any preparedness training?” Thirty – three percent said it’s difficult to get information on what to do.

   Grays Harbor County Emergency Management is requesting that all citizens become  PRO-ACTIVE on personal preparedness issues. Grays Harbor County is situated in an area where it could be impacted by an earthquake, a volcano, flooding, severe winds and weather and tsunami. Everyone must take action to be ready for any disaster.  As you can see from the latest disasters in Haiti and Samoa, the roads could be blocked, buildings could fall or be unsafe to inhabit,  there will be no communication, no phone, no computer, no cell phone availability, no food, no water and possibly no response by Emergency Responders for up to 72 hours! You will have to depend upon the preparedness you and your family have initiated and implemented.  Get prepared today! Talk to your neighbors and become Pro-Active!

    If you have questions about how to become Pro-Active, if you don’t know what to do or who to contact, call Grays Harbor County Emergency Management at (360) 249-3911 x 290 or send an e-mail through the website listed below. 

 

HOW TO BECOME PRO-ACTIVE

   Become Pro-active!   All residents should be preparing for the winter weather. High winds, ice, snow, rain, and flooding are quite common in the Grays Harbor area.

1) Make sure you have a 72 hour survival kit with non perishable food for your family and pets, water, blankets, flashlights, battery powered portable radio and bedding.

2) Check your generators and fuel supply for them.

3) Have a place of refuge available if you need to leave your home.

4) Have an All Hazards Weather Radio operating and with a battery back-up.

5) Have a contact person who can accept calls from you and your family in the event you are separated due to inclement weather.

6) Keep a copy of all of your important documents with a friend or relative in another part of the county or country. This includes Drivers Licenses, Birth Certificates, Prescriptions, Medical Cards, Credit Cards, Social Security Cards, Mortgage Paperwork, Car Titles etc.

7) Monitor the Grays Harbor County Emergency Management Website at

for valuable updates on all forecasted and imminent weather and disaster situations.