The Downey City Council recognized National Preparedness Month on Tuesday evening with a proclamation. National Preparedness month is a Nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies and to raise the awareness of the public regarding the importance of preparation and training.National Preparedness Month 2009 is sponsored by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security whose goal is to highlight the importance of community emergency preparedness and to promote individual involvement through events and activities across the Nation. All Downey residents, neighborhoods, churches, schools and businesses need to develop plans for emergencies that may occur in their area. These plans should include emergency numbers and contacts for family members and employees, meeting places for the family after an emergency, evacuation routes and making special provisions for the children and seniors of the family. Families and businesses need to prepare supplies, food, water and equipment to utilize when emergencies occur. Experts recommend having enough food and water for 3-7 days. Medications should also be considered when developing an inventory of supplies. Community members need to stay informed of actions they can take to become more self-sufficient immediately during and after an emergency. Families and business owners should practice drop, cover and hold maneuvers in preparation for an earthquake. They should also practice evacuating the building once the shaking has stopped. All Downey residents, neighborhoods, churches, schools, and businesses need to be involved in the preparation for an emergency by volunteering their time and working to prepare, respond and recover from an emergency. Consider hosting a neighborhood watch group and working with those on your block to prepare for an emergency. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is also a great way to learn more about emergency preparedness and operations.

********** Published: September 11, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 21