Preparedness

A message from Brig. Gen. John W. Heltzel, director of Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM).

“Although the state and local governments are expected to assist the public during times of emergencies and disasters, preparedness starts at home. In the event of large scale disasters the government may be unable to respond immediately."

"Be prepared! You should have at least a three day supply of food and water for each member of your family, along with essentials such as: medicines, flash lights, radio, extra batteries, matches, candles, first aid supplies, etc.”

"Have a plan and practice it. Share your plan with relatives, friends and someone you know living in another state."

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On this page you will find helpful information and valuable links on preparing you and your family for emergencies or disasters.  Please take the time to:

"BE AWARE - BE PREPARED - HAVE A PLAN"

* NEW*  Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips   *NEW*

Oct 1 starts fall fire season

September is National Preparedness Month

September has been designated as National Preparedness Month.

If the lights go out, are you prepared?

Something as simple as having a flashlight and extra batteries available in the event of a power outage can make you and your family more comfortable during these times.   

Kentuckians face many challenges throughout the year, from tornadoes, flooding, winter storms to man made hazards. Every household should be prepared to face these challenges at any given time.

Although the state and local government is expected to assist the public during these times, preparedness starts at home. In the event of large scale disasters the government may be unable to respond immediately. Be prepared! You should have a three day supply of food and water for each member of your family, along with essentials such as: medicines, flash lights, radio, extra batteries, matches, candles, first aid supplies, etc.

Along with an emergency kit you should have an emergency plan.

PLANNING FOR DISASTER:

“Be aware, be prepared, have a plan, and make a kit."

Be Aware:
• Know in advance your weather forecasts
• Stay tuned to your local broadcasting stations
• Discuss conditions with family member and know
their location during times of known potentially threatening conditions.

Be Prepared:
• Discuss your plan with family members and neighbors.
• Review your plan periodically for necessary updates.
• Refresh you emergency kit(s).
• Drill: practice your plan with household members.

Have a plan:
• UTILITES: Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
• SHELTER: Identify safe locations within your residence.
• CONTACTS: Written contact information should include; relatives, neighbors, utility companies, employers (employees) and local emergency contact telephone numbers.
• EVACUATE: Predetermine evacuation routes.  Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend or relative's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
• Children: Make back up plans for children in case you (or they) can’t get home in an emergency.
• Vehicles: Maintain a half tank of fuel in vehicles.
Move vehicles from under trees during possible wind events.
Keep an “Emergency Go Kit” in the vehicle.
• Medications: prepare a list of all prescription drugs.                      

Make a kit:
• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Waterproof matches, candles
• Local phone book
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Extra set of car keys

The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management stands ready to fully support the Kentucky Department of Public Health in response to the recent outbreak of the H1N1 Virus that is impacting the United States and international countries.

Kentucky's public health officials are taking the possibility of a flu pandemic very seriously. The Kentucky Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan that was originally developed in 2002 is being updated to provide guidelines to state and local health departments and establishes the guidelines for an effective response. The current plan is available online.

For more pandemic information and helpful links, please click here:   KYEM pandemic information

The Kentucky Department for Public Health also maintains a dedicated site providing information about pandemic flu, including information for businesses and individuals on how to prepare.

On Tuesday, March 3^rd at approximately 10:07 AM EST, as a part of the Severe Storms Preparedness Month activities, our partner the National Weather Service will conduct a tornado test that will activate NOAA Weather Radios, and broadcast media, allowing schools, businesses and citizens across the Commonwealth to participate in the annual tornado safety drill.   A survey is then returned to the state allowing us to measure and improve our preparedness for such occasions.

The survey can be downloaded by clicking: Tornado drill report

A unsigned copy of the governor's proclamation can be found and downloaded here:  2009 Severe Storms Preparedness Proclamation

Learn ways to protect yourself, family or business at:

Ready.Gov 

Additional resources can be found at these links:

Weather Alert Radio Codes

National Weather Conditions

Kentucky Severe Weather Information

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The New "EF" Tornado Scale

Governor Beshear Proclaims March as Severe Storms Preparedness Month

On February 24, 2009, Governor Beshear signed a proclamation declaring March as Severe Storms Preparedness Month, urging all Kentuckians to be prepared for severe weather.

If the lights go out, are you prepared?  That is a simple but necessary question that we must all ask ourselves.  In the event of a power outage something as simple as having a flashlight and extra batteries available can make you and your family more comfortable during these times.   

Kentuckians face many challenges throughout the year, from tornadoes, flooding, winter storms to man made hazards.  Every household should be prepared to face these challenges at any given time.

This fact was made obvious during the recent ice storm that left over 700,000 customers without power and over 200,000 customers were without water for days and weeks. 

Brig. Gen. John W. Heltzel, director of Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) stated, “Although the state and local governments are expected to assist the public during these times, preparedness starts at home. In the event of large scale disasters the government may be unable to respond immediately.”  He continued, “Be prepared! You should have a three day supply of food and water for each member of your family, along with essentials such as: medicines, flash lights, radio, extra batteries, matches, candles, first aid supplies, etc.”

Along with an emergency kit you should have an emergency plan.

PLANNING FOR DISASTER:

“Be aware, be prepared, have a plan, and make a kit."

Be Aware:

• Know in advance your weather forecasts;

·    Own a battery backup NOAA Weather Alert Radio;

• Stay tuned to your local broadcasting stations;

• Discuss conditions with family member and know
   their location during times of known potentially threatening conditions.

Be Prepared:

• Discuss your plan with family members and neighbors;

• Review your plan periodically for necessary updates;

• Refresh you emergency kit(s);

• Drill: practice your plan with household members;

·    If you own a generator, read and familiarize yourself with the owner’s safety manual before ever attempting to use it.

Have a plan:

• UTILITES: Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on);

• SHELTER: Identify safe locations within your residence and long term shelters within you community;

• CONTACTS: Written contact information should include; relatives, neighbors, utility companies, employers (employees) and local emergency contact telephone numbers.  Advise a contact (even an out of state contact is advised) of your plan;

• EVACUATE: Predetermine evacuation routes.  Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . ., a friend or relative's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter;

• Children: Make back up plans for children in case you (or they) can’t get home in an emergency;

• Vehicles: Maintain a half tank of fuel in vehicles.
Move vehicles from under trees during possible wind events.
Keep an “Emergency Go Kit” in the vehicle;

• Medications: prepare a list of all prescription drugs.     

Make a kit:

• First aid kit and essential medications;

• Canned food and can opener;

• At least three gallons of water per person;

• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags;

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries;

• Waterproof matches and candles;

• Local phone book;

• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members;

• Extra set of car keys.

During Governor Beshear’s proclamation signing ceremony Chris Allen, chairperson of the Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, announced an initiative to place 1,210 NOAA Weather Alert Radios in schools, college dorms, school bus garages and public buildings throughout Kentucky.  He said, “Simply put, we believe NOAA Weather Alert Radios save lives!  Every school, business, public building and residence should have one.”