County Emergency Services Encourages Residents to Prepare and Plan

is encouraging residents to be prepared in the event of serious emergencies or natural disasters.

The department is participating in National Preparedness Month, an initiative started following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Now in its eighth year, the month-long effort encourages families and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies.

“The better every citizen, business and community is prepared when a disaster hits the less affect that disaster will have,” Lt. Scott Dakin, public information officer for Barrow County Emergency Services, said in a news release. “Just in the last month there has been an earthquake and hurricane hit America. These events highlight the need to be prepared.”

This year’s National Preparedness Month is focusing on turning awareness into action by encouraging all individuals and all communities nationwide to make emergency preparedness plans.

One of the key messages throughout this month is encouraging residents to be prepared to be self-reliant for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or local services, or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Preparation can start with these important steps.

1. Get an emergency supply kit.
2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.
3. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit Ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Residents can also call the Barrow County Emergency Management Agency at 770-307-2987 and speak with the the coordinator, Penny Clack.