Henry and Stark County Health Department Emergency Services Director, Betty McNaught, RN (left) and John Sayers (right), Kewanee Public Library Director, stand next to a display at the Library of some of the items that should be included in a basic emergency supply kit. The Health Department, along with community partners, is noting September's designation as National Emergency Preparedness Month.
Henry and Stark County Health Department Emergency Services Director, Betty McNaught, RN (left) and Claire Crawford (right), Geneseo Public Library Director, stand next to a display at the Library of some of the items that should be included in a basic emergency supply kit. The Health Department, along with community partners, is noting September's designation as National Emergency Preparedness Month.
Henry and Stark County Health Department Emergency Services Director, Betty McNaught, RN (left) and David Harris (right), of the Black Hawk College Community Education Center, Kewanee stand next to a display at the Center of some of the items that should be included in a basic emergency supply kit.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH
The Henry & Stark County Health Departments note that this September we mark the ten year annivesary of 9/11. Since then, September has been designated as National Preparedness Month. This event was founded after 9/11 to increase preparedness in the U.S. Betty McNaught, RN Health Department Emergency Services Director, states, "Now in its eighth year, the designation is a nationwide, month-long effort that encourages individuals, families, businesses, and communities to work together and take action to prepare and plan for emergencies."
This year's effort has a growing coalition of more than 2,700 national, regional, state, and local organizations pledging support. The goal for National Emergency Preparedness Month 2011 is to encourage all Americans to take active steps toward getting involved and becoming prepared.
Preparedness is everyone's responsibility. We have to work together, as a team, to ensure that individuals, families and communities are ready.
Individuals are encouraged to: make a family emergency plan, put together an emergency supply kit; be prepared to help your neighbor; and work as a team to keep everyone safe.
According to the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey, only 36 percent of individuals believed there was a high likelihood of a natural disaster to EVER happen in their community. But disasters happen every day in many forms - from hurricanes to snowstorms, even localized events such as floods and power outages.
McNaught notes, "Many people think that it will be easy to grab items from your pantry if disaster strikes. But what if you aren't at home? What if you family is separated? What if you have to leave quickly? We encourage everyone to take a few extra minutes this month to plan for any emergency. In addition, all Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. In order to promote this point, the Department has put up special Emergency Preparedness Supply Kit displays for the month of September at the Black Hawk College Community Education Center, Kewanee and the Kewanee and Geneseo Public Libraries."
The following is a listing of some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include:
* Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery -powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Local maps
* Copies of your prescription (placed in a ziploc bag to keep them dry)
McNaught concludes, "September is National Preparedness Month and a good reminder that emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives. That's why the Health Department staff is continually taking steps to become educated, trained, and better prepared, and we urge you to take time this month to do the same."
For more information on the Health Department's Emergency Preparedness Activities or to set up a presentation, simply contact Ms. McNaught at (309) 852-0197
HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOSTS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OFFICIALS FOR ANNUAL REVIEW
The Henry and Stark County Health Department was recently visited by officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health, the United States Marshall's Office, the Henry County Sheriff's Department, and the Kewanee and Geneseo Police Departments for the annual review of their Emergency Preparedness Program.
Betty McNaught, RN Health Department Director of Emergency Preparedness (Standing) addressing: (From left to right)
Matt Ringenberg, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Steve Sikkema, Senior Inspector-SNS Security Operations with the US Marshal Service/US Dept of Justice.
Richard Richardson, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Dr. Carla Little, IDPH Gary Mayo, Computer Specialist Health Department Tom Russell and Paul DeLuca CEMP Computer Program Specialists Gail Ripka, Administrator Health Department Rich Turley, Deputy Chief Kewanee Police Department Jim Padilla, Henry County Sheriff
The Henry and Stark County Health Department's was recently visited by officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), United States Department of Justice/United States Marshall Service, the Henry County Sheriff's Department, and the Kewanee and Geneseo Police Departments. These dignitaries were in attendance for the Health Department's annual review of its Emergency Preparedness Program. In particular, the Local Technical Assistance Review (LTAR) and the Department's new Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP Computer Program).
Betty McNaught, Health Department Director of Emergency Services notes, "We were honored to host these national, regional and local leaders in the fields of communicable disease, emergency response and public health. We feel it is a great reflection of the progressive work we do here at the health department in keeping our area up-to-date on the latest information and technologies in the fields of emergency preparedeness and response."
McNaught adds, "In addition, the group was also able to tour some of the Health Department's Community Partners: the Kewanee City Hall/Police Department/Fire Department Emergency Operations Center; the Black Hawk
College Outreach Center; and Kewanee Hospital. The group was much
impressed with the amount of cooperation and participation all of our community partners play in local emergency response activities."
For more information on the Emergency Preparedness Program through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0197
STAFF ATTENDS 2011 STATE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SUMMIT
The Henry and Stark County Health Department announces that members of their staff recently attended the 2011 Illinois Public Health Emergency Preparedness Summit. Gail Ripka, Health Department Administrator and Betty McNaught, RN Health Department Director of Emergency Services attended the three day event held in Lombard, IL.
McNaught notes, "The conference theme was "Building Community Through Individual Preparedness." It featured a multitude of informative workshops covering such varied topic areas as: security planning, regional point of dispensing, emergency management training, working together in a public health emergency, successful partnerships, emergency communications, social media in disasters, and working with communities after an emergency."
The summit is held annually to benefit a broad range of public health professionals involved in emergency preparedness, planning and response, including state and local health professionals in the following disciplines:
public health administration, environmental health, nursing, communicable disease, laboratory services, food protection, immunization, hospital emergency services, and other emergency response areas.
In addition, the conference featured exhibit booths, special event sponsorships, satellite broadcasts, live webcasts, informative roundtable sessions, and valuable networking activities.
McNaught adds, "By attending conferences such as these the Health Department's Emergency Preparedness Program strives to take an active part in our area's response to emergency situations either 'man-made' or 'naturally occurring;' and stay up-to-date on the most current information."
For more information on the Emergency Preparedness Program through the Henry and Stark County Health Departments call the Department at (309) 852-0197
Americans are encouraged to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.
This year's effort has a growing coalition of more than 1,200 national, regional, state, and local organizations pledging support. The goal for National Emergency Preparedness is to focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be "Ready." Preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry. Being "Ready" includes: getting an Emergency Supply Kit; making a Family Emergency Plan; being informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses; and getting involved in community efforts.
McNaught notes, "All Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. The following is a listing of some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include:
* Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
* Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
* Battery -powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Whistle to signal for help
* Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
* Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
* Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
* Local maps
For more information on the Health Department's Emergency Preparedness Activities or to set up a presentation, simply contact Ms. McNaught at (309) 852-0197
What steps has your family taken to be prepared in the event of an emergency?
Make a family communications plan that includes an evacuation plan and coordinates with your school, work and community communication plans. Practice this plan with your entire family.
