Volunteer West Virginia Announces Participation in National Preparedness Month

8/31/2020

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), the annual preparedness outreach event sponsored by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) Ready Campaign. Volunteer West Virginia has committed to participate in NPM to increase community preparedness in West Virginia through its ReadyWV multi-media campaign. This is the 14th year that Volunteer West Virginia has participated in NPM.

The theme this year is “Disasters Don’t Wait, Make Your Plan Today” and asks citizens to take action now. Take time to make a plan, build an emergency kit and prepare for hazards, like floods, that might impact your community. Check your insurance coverage to see if they cover those hazards. Be financially prepared. If you can, put aside some extra cash to save for an emergency. Save by growing and canning your own food. Keep take out plastic dinnerware, napkins, and condiment packages for your emergency kit. Stock up on canned food when they are on sale.

Educate and involve youth in preparedness too. Make it fun! Have them do a scavenger hunt for items in the house you may already have to put into your family emergency kit. Know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved than this September.

• Week 1: Sept. 1-5 Make a Plan

• Week 2: Sept. 6-12 Build a Kit

• Week 3: Sept. 13-19 Prepare for Disasters (Flood & Financial Prep)

• Week 4: Sept. 20-26 Teach Youth about Preparedness

Preparedness is a shared responsibility that involves the whole community. Learn ways that you and your family can TAKE ACTION NOW to be better prepared by visiting Ready.WV.Gov and follow ReadyWV on Facebook and Twitter. To sign up for their E-newsletters, contact Volunteer West Virginia at 304-558-0111 or e-mail gina.l.namay@wv.gov.

Governor Jim Justice proclaimed September 2020 as National Preparedness Month in West Virginia. For more click here. For more information about the FEMA’s Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit www.Ready.gov/September.

Contact Information

Gina, Gina.L.Namay@wv.gov