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National Preparedness Month to Emphasize Emergency Plans

News Date: 
Friday, Sep 01, 2017 - 05:30

Chicago – Images from the aftereffects of Hurricane Harvey are an important reminder of just how crucial preparedness is during an emergency. The start of September marks the beginning of National Preparedness Month, a nationwide initiative developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urging Americans to prepare for any emergency. The theme of this year’s preparedness month is: “Disasters don’t plan ahead, YOU CAN.”

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) urges all residents to create plans and stock supplies in the event of a major incident. Throughout September, the department will post helpful tips on Twitter @CCDHSEM with the hashtag #CookCoPrep. Information about preparing for a variety of emergency and putting together family emergency plans is also available on www.cookcountyhomelandsecurity.org.

“We want residents to understand that in the event of a major emergency, it could take first responders 96 hours or more to reach them,” said Mark Edingburg, interim executive director of DHSEM. “They need to have enough clean drinking water, food, medicine and other basic supplies to stay safe until help arrives.”

As part of National Preparedness Month, DHSEM will host a preparedness fair at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.) on Sept. 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The department, along with partners from the public and private sectors, will hand out safety and preparedness information.

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The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management integrates first responders, their departments and resources from 134 Cook County municipalities, and serves as the central agency in Cook County for coordinating efforts to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from all incidents, whether man-made or natural. For more information, visit our website at www.cookcountyhomelandsecurity.org and follow us on Twitter @CCDHSEM.