September 2011 will be a memorable month for Shelby County and for America.
First, our hearts and minds reflect on the ten year anniversary of the most horrific terrorist event in our nation's history.....the 9/11 "Attack on America." We were collectively glued to the nearest TV as the twin towers crumbled before our eyes....replayed over and over. A decade later, we honor the nearly 3,000 who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The victims, who included our finest public servants....firefighters, police officers, EMT's, and paramedics, the innocent civilians, and even the hijackers themselves, perished during four coordinated suicide attacks.
In the ten years since this tragedy, America, as well as Shelby County, has strengthened its anti-terrorism efforts. The Memphis / Shelby County Urban Area Security Initiative Working Group (UASI), a regional partnership of six counties, meets monthly to plan training / exercises and plan the purchase of equipment that will help prevent, protect, respond to, and recover from threats or acts of terrorism. Past UASI purchases have included new interoperable communications equipment such as radios, portable towers, and satellite radios.
September also marks the eighth National Preparedness Month! Annually, federal, state, regional and local emergency agencies invite citizens, businesses, government agencies, and faith-based organizations to focus awareness on the threats and potential emergencies that could happen here and prepare for them.
The Office of Preparedness, under the direction of Bob Nations, Jr., strives to create an inclusive culture of emergency preparedness. The agency extends an open invitation for citizens to join together to get prepared before the next disaster strikes.
There are four simple steps to preparedness:
1. Know your risks:
Learn about the hazards faced living in Shelby County such as earthquake, flooding, fire, hazardous materials releases, terrorism, power outages, tornadoes, ice storms, and excessive heat. Know which carry a warning, such as weather events, and which do not.
2. Get a kit:
Create a disaster kit for home, work and auto to sustain you and your animals for at least seven days. Kits should include water, non-perishable food, tools, flashlight, batteries, medication, maps, sanitation, personal preparedness equipment, first-aid, keys, clothing, cash, copies of important papers (insurance, ID, medical, photos), pet supplies, and specialty items.
3. Make a plan:
Make a plan for what to do before, during, and after every possible disaster. Have plans to shelter-in-place or evacuate depending on the event. Create a communications plan to contact an out-of-state relative if separated. Program ICE or In Case of Emergency numbers in your cell phone. Decide where you will meet family members if separated. Share your plans with your family and friends and practice them together.
4. Stay informed:
Keep a battery-powered NOAA weather radio or ALERT FM with you at all times. Heed the watches and warnings from the Office of Preparedness and the National Weather Service to seek shelter during inclement weather. Listen for the outdoor warning sirens and take cover immediately.
Let us pause this September - to remember the victims of 9/11 and to prepare ourselves and those we care about before the next unexpected event.
Resources:
• Shelby County Office of Preparedness HLS/EMA web site: www.staysafeshelby.us
• Ready Shelby web site www.readyshelby.org
• FEMA / Ready America web site www.ready.gov
