Severe weather can happen at any moment’s notice and when it does, there is no time to make plans.
September is National Preparedness Month, and folks in Washington County are doing their part to help residents make an action plan.
Tammy Reed, public relations officer for Washington County Emergency Medical Response Team, said people don’t need to wait on a disaster to get ready for one.
“You need to always be prepared, whether it’s tornadoes, earthquakes or hurricanes. You need to always need to have extra supplies on-hand,” she said.
Supplies people need to keep stock of include plenty of bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, a NOAA Weather Alert radio, spare batteries, cash and medications.
“People who have chronic illnesses or diseases that are on medication every day need to have a little supply set aside so if they need to pick up and go, it’s already in a Ziploc bag and they can head out the door,” Reed said, noting the same goes for pets’ needs as well.
For those with elderly neighbors, Reed said it is important to check on them during disaster events.
“When we have extreme heat, cold or extreme weather, you should always, always, always check on your neighbor,” she said. “If you know someone who is on oxygen or wheelchair bound, the neighbors need to know if the person is in that home alone and help get them to safety. I’m a firm believer in knowing who your neighbors are.”
Reed said there are several things to keep in mind when it comes to preparedness, including:
- Always have an alternative communication plan for contacting relatives. Power goes out, cell towers go out, signals go out. If an emergency happens and people need to evacuate, families need to designate a location on where to meet up after a disaster relocate;
- Always check on elderly neighbors or neighbors who may be oxygen-dependent or wheelchair-bound;
- Have enough bottled water, canned goods and batteries to last at least 72 hours;
- Keep a “Go Bag” packed with enough clothes, toiletries, medications in a ziploc bag and more to last for at least 72 hours;
- Have a NOAA weather alert radio with extra batteries;
- ATMs don’t work without power, so be sure to have cash on-hand;
- If someone has an tornado shelter on their property, they need to let local EMA officials know. If EMA doesn’t know if someone is in a shelter, they can’t know to get you out in the event of a disaster;
- Do not depend on tornado sirens. Sirens are to warn people outside to seek shelter inside;
- Check with the National Weather Service for a Storm Spotters class to educate on what to look for during storms; and
- Sign interested teenagers up for the Teen Community Emergency Response Team program, which is taught in several local schools throughout Washington County through the Mississippi State Extension Service. More information can be found at mypi.extension.msstate.edu.
Washington County Emergency Manager David Burford, said posts of tips and advice will be made to their social media pages throughout the month. Burford also recommended reading advice on their website, deltaready.com., and on FEMA, MEMA and the American Red Cross’s websites, fema.gov, msema.gov and redcross.org.
“The month of September is to recognize the need for preparedness and planning. People need to have a disaster supply kit and a disaster plan in place should the need arise,” he said.
For anyone who hasn’t signed up for emergency text alerts, which is free, it’s as easy as sending a text.
To sign up, people can text “WashCounty” or their zip code to 888777 or sign up online at deltaready.com. Residents can also text “anonymous tips” to provide law enforcement with vital information. Anyone wishing to stop receiving alerts can text “stop” at any time.
Local residents can follow the local emergency management on Twitter @DeltaReady or on Facebook at facebook.com/DeltaReady. For more information, call the Office of Emergency Management at 662-335-1945.
EMR Team
One way locals are gearing up to help their neighbors is participating in a 10-week Washington County Emergency Medical Response (EMR) Team training class.
The Washington County EMR team consists of trained volunteers that respond to medical emergencies in rural areas to assist patients until professional responders arrive.
“We strictly assist until medical responders arrive,” Reed said, noting their training teaches them on how to properly use several medical supplies, from gauzes to neck collars.
Reed said they would also like to assist at local events, such as festivals, in case anything goes awry.
“If they needed a couple of responders to be out there in case someone gets overheated or anything else, we’re eager to help and assist,” she said.
Having finished their second class this summer, bringing their number of local medical responders to 20, Reed said they are now starting to expand to rural areas.
The next training session will be held in January 2020. Anyone interested in participating can email washcoemr@gmail.com.
