These resources provide information on how to prepare for disasters:
DISASTER. It strikes anytime, anywhere. It takes many forms -- a hurricane, an earthquake, a tornado, a flood, a fire or a hazardous spill, an act of nature or an act of terrorism. It builds over days or weeks, or hits suddenly, without warning. Every year, millions of Americans face disaster, and its terrifying consequences.
Be ready BEFORE disaster strikes! There are several ways to receive important information from the Huntsville Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) :
A public service announcement promoting preparedness. Visit Ready.gov to get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.
A Hazard Analysis determines the emergency management needs of a community. To determine what hazards exist in the Huntsville-Madison County area, an analysis of the events which have historically occurred, our actual vulnerability to specific events, the frequency of each incident, and the number of our population at risk must be assessed. When knowledge of the hazards is combined with the knowledge of their potential impacts on the county, the result is a measure of the vulnerability of the county.
The hazards which have been identified for Madison County and require planning are listed below in order according to their potential for occurring and the impact on the greatest number of population:
Preparedness Planning for Families
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes so it is important to plan in advance: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.
You should also inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school, faith organizations, sports events and commuting. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to community leaders, your colleagues, neighbors and members of faith or civic organizations about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.
Preparedness Planning for Businesses
Businesses can do much to prepare for the impact of the many hazards they face in today’s world including natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and widespread serious illness such as the H1N1 flu virus pandemic. Human-caused hazards include accidents, acts of violence by people and acts of terrorism. Examples of technology-related hazards are the failure or malfunction of systems, equipment or software.
Ready Business will assist businesses in developing a preparedness program by providing tools to create a plan that addresses the impact of many hazards.