HARRISBURG – The devastation brought by Tropical Storm Isaac highlights the need for Pennsylvanians to make sure they’re ready for all types of emergencies, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said in advance of September’s observance of National Preparedness Month.
“It’ll be a long time before many of us forget the destruction that Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee brought to Pennsylvania just one year ago,” said Glenn Cannon, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. “Those memories, as well as seeing coverage of Isaac’s recent impacts, will hopefully motivate people to formulate emergency plans and build emergency kits for their own families.”
Cannon said history has shown that emergency responders cannot reach everyone immediately after a disaster, so families should have enough food, water, medication and other necessities, including pet supplies, to survive without outside assistance for at least three days. Families should also prepare a plan to communicate and reunite if they are separated during an emergency.
Cannon also emphasized the importance of always following mandatory evacuation orders, noting the large number of residents that had to be rescued after failing to evacuate in advance of Isaac.
“When you choose to ignore an evacuation order, you are endangering your life and also the lives of first responders,” Cannon added. “Sadly, too many people have died while trying to ‘ride out the storm.’ Evacuation orders are for your own protection.”
Residents are encouraged to visit www.ReadyPA.org which encourages citizens to take three basic steps before an emergency or natural disaster occurs:
- Be Informed: know what threats Pennsylvania and your community face.
- Be Prepared: have an emergency kit with at least three days’ worth of essentials at your home, including food, one gallon of water per person per day, medications and specialized items such as baby or pet supplies. Create an emergency plan so family members know where to meet if everyone is separated when an incident occurs.
- Be Involved: Pennsylvanians have a long history of helping one another in times of need. Specialized training and volunteer opportunities are available so citizens can help others in their community in a disaster.
Information such as checklists for emergency kits and templates for emergency plans, as well as other information and volunteer opportunities, is available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA (1-888-973-2397).
