Authored By Staff Report

The Chattanooga- Hamilton County Health Department is urging residents to plan for emergency situations in observance of September's National Preparedness Month. “The anniversary of 9/11 and the recent tropical storms serve as reminders of the importance of being prepared for an emergency,” Emergency Response Coordinator Sabrina Novak said in a prepared statement. The region faces a number of natural and man-made threats such as flooding, tornadoes and acts of terrorism, officials said. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department recommended that residents take action now to prepare for these potential events. The following recommendations are “all-hazard,” meaning these steps would serve well for nearly any threat that may arise. Make a kit. During a disaster, it’s possible that things that residents use every day will not be working, such as water, electricity, grocery stores, or telephone. A disaster kit is a collection of items that should meet basic needs for at least three days. In addition to a kit at home, residents should consider one for the car or work. And officials urged people to check expiration dates and update their kit whenever they change clocks for daylight saving time. Suggested kits can be viewed here. Make a plan. It is important to agree on decisions as a family before a disaster strikes in the case that your family is not together during the event, officials said. They said that families should know how they will contact one another and reunite during a disaster. It's a good idea to have an out-of-town contact so that separated family members can better communicate. Considering supplies for people with special needs, such as equipment for hearing, sight, breathing or mobility, is also important. Be informed. Use television, radio, social media, and the public warning systems to be up to date on the latest information. Make sure the information id from recognized authorities and beware of scammers. It is important to learn about emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. And plan for a way to charge all communication devices. Get involved. There are ways to get involved before a crisis happens. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department organizes a local chapter of the Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Program. Any person with an interest in helping the community can volunteer. Volunteers can be active or inactive and retired health care professionals or can be persons in a nonmedical field. “It is critical that citizens take responsibility by preparing themselves and their family for disaster situations that could arise,” Novak said. For more information on becoming ready, call the Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness and Planning program at 423-209-8074. Important local, state and federal resources include Hamilton County Emergency Management, Tennessee Department of Health Emergency Preparedness, and ready.gov.