National Preparedness Month, Sept. 20

National Preparedness Month is well underway and Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) reminds the public to be active in three important ways: Be informed about disaster threats in our state; make a family emergency communication plan; and build a kit with food, water and supplies to be self-sufficient for up to two weeks. “We encourage all Oregonians to take steps to be ready for any emergency,” said OEM Director Andrew Phelps. “Individual and family preparedness, as well as preparedness in the workplace, will help to save lives and property on our worst day,” Several public preparedness activities are planned in September: * NW Natural and the American Red Cross team up to host a series of Get Ready events. September 24 | Get Ready The Dalles; * Prepare Out Loud, presented by the American Red Cross Cascades Region, covers the science and history of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, human behavior during disasters, how to prepare to quickly locate loved ones after a disaster and the central role our actions and voices play in building community resilience. September 22 – Salem: Presented by NW Natural, in partnership with PGE; Register at redcross.org/PrepareOutLoudSalem; September 30 – Tillamook and Manzanita – Register at redcross.org/PrepareOutLoudTillamook. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management has an array of preparedness materials to help people plan for disasters, which are available through local county emergency management offices. The OEM Emergency “Go-Kit Passport” (http://bit.ly/2c9koc7)is a mini-booklet that provides a way to track family information, home evacuation plan, medical contacts and prescription needs, insurance carriers and room to include critical information for family pets. In addition, the booklet contains a list of basic emergency kit items and links to other disaster preparedness resources. Families and individuals can receive a Certificate of Preparedness signed by Governor Kate Brown when the “Go Kit Passport” has been completed. Send an email to public.info@state.or.us. National Preparedness Month ends on September 30 but the public is invited to continue personal preparedness efforts by participating in the Great ShakeOut on October 20, an annual earthquake exercise that takes place around the world. At 10:20 a.m., people are encouraged to “drop, cover and hold on.” In Oregon last year, an estimated 600,000 people participated. For more information or to register for the Great ShakeOut, visit www.shakeout.org/Oregon.