[Press Release] : September - National Preparedness Month

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Scott Smith, Public Information Officer, or Zim Schwartze,
Interim OEM Director - (573) 874-7400

September - National Preparedness Month

COLUMBIA, MO (August 31, 2009) - The Columbia/Boone County Office of
Emergency Management (OEM) is proud to be participating in the sixth
annual National Preparedness Month during September. National
Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness
as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses, schools and
communities to take action and prepare for emergencies. 

“Our main focus during the month of September, as well as the entire
year, is to make sure that our residents are ready should disaster
strike,” says Interim OEM Director Zim Schwartze. “Preparedness goes
beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in
the pantry. Being ready includes assembling an emergency supply kit,
making a family emergency plan, being informed about the various
potential emergencies and their appropriate responses, and getting
involved in disaster plans with your business, school or church. We may
not be able to predict what kind of disaster will hit, but we can be
prepared.” 

Being prepared consists of more than planning for natural disasters.
The Columbia Fire Department recommends installing and maintaining
working smoke alarms in your home, making and practicing a family fire
escape plan, and knowing the local emergency number to call after you
have exited the home. To prevent a fire in your home, don't leave items
cooking on the stove unattended, keep matches and lighters away from
children, use caution when smoking and discarding smoking materials, use
caution when using portable heating devices, and don't overload
electrical outlets. 

Preparedness also includes protecting your home from burglaries. The
Columbia Police Department recommends keeping all doors and windows
closed and securely fastened, locking the door to an attached garage,
using timers on lights, radios and TVs, and keeping the perimeter of
your home well lit. 

And with flu season just around the corner, the Columbia/Boone County
Department of Public Health and Human Services encourages you to protect
yourself from the flu by washing your hands thoroughly and frequently
with hot, soapy water, covering your cough and/or sneeze with your
sleeve or a tissue, and staying home if you are sick. Being vaccinated
also helps prevent the spread of the flu. The Health Department will
begin providing flu shots for residents in October.

The Office of Emergency Management is partnering with the Columbia Fire
and Police departments and the Columbia/Boone County Department of
Public Health and Human Services in promoting Preparedness Month. For
more information on being prepared, contact the Office of Emergency
Management at 874-7400, Columbia Police at 874-7652, Columbia Fire at
874-7391 or the Health Department at 874-7355. 

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