{"id":84505,"date":"2017-09-29T03:29:04","date_gmt":"2017-09-29T07:29:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=84505"},"modified":"2017-09-28T20:22:58","modified_gmt":"2017-09-29T00:22:58","slug":"column-disasters-dont-plan-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=84505","title":{"rendered":"ICYMI: Disaster preparedness program Oct. 3"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pictured is flooding-related damage from July 1, 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ted Halpin<\/em><\/p>\n

The ongoing flooding in the South and Madison County\u2019s August tornadoes, July rainstorms and March snowstorm are powerful reminders of the need for individual, family and business emergency preparedness. September is National Preparedness Month and everyone should take inventory of their level of emergency preparedness.<\/p>\n

Locally, Madison County is hosting a Governor\u2019s Citizen\u2019s Preparedness program Oct. 3 from\u00a06 to 8 p.m. at the Hamilton High School, 47 West Kendrick Ave., Hamilton. This will be a great opportunity to learn about emergency preparedness and about local emergency management programs. In addition, each household attending will receive a\u00a0free backpack\u00a0loaded with emergency supplies.<\/p>\n

As played out on the news, nowhere can first responders be everywhere immediately. You have to take steps now to protect you and your family.<\/p>\n

Be informed\u00a0about 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. Madison County\u2019s Office of Emergency Management has a wealth of information on our website:https:\/\/www.madisoncounty.ny.gov\/em<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Register in NYAlert\u00a0to receive emergency notifications (https:\/\/users.nyalert.gov\/<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter (MadisonCoNY_EM)\u00a0and Facebook (https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PrepareRespondRecover<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Make a plan\u00a0for what to do in an emergency. Great preparedness websites include:http:\/\/www.redcross.org\/prepare\/disaster<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0http:\/\/www.ready.gov\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Build a kit. These same websites can help here. A good start will be the free emergency backpack given out free to each household at the Hamilton program.<\/p>\n

Get involved.<\/p>\n