Emergency preparedness a must
Maricopa County promotes readiness to stay or go
Maricopa County – Fires raging in California have prompted many Arizonans to ask ‘what if?” While Maricopa County isn’t prone to most of the disaster scenarios seen in our neighboring states, being prepared for the unexpected is just as important here as there.
The Board of Supervisors is taking this opportunity to send the message to county residents that the most basic level where it can make the biggest difference. “We do a lot of planning and practicing year round to ensure the County is ready to respond to a variety of disasters,” said Fulton Brock, Chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, “but there is absolutely nothing that can take the place of personal readiness.”
Being “ready” means being able to stay or go on a moment’s notice. Officials say this is easily done, but very few people actually take the time to do it. A recent survey of county residents revealed that 40% have done nothing to prepare to shelter themselves in their homes for any length of time and 67% responded that they have done nothing to prepare for an evacuation. “This means that even a short-term shelter-in-place period can present a considerable risk to a good portion of the population,” said Dr. Bob England, Maricopa County Director of Public Health.
“It’s a real concern to the Board,” said Brock, “especially as our communities continue to grow, the impact of even small-scale scenarios grows with it.” So, the Board is encouraging residents to take three steps;
- Make a Household Disaster Plan
- Have an Emergency Supply Kit
- Make a “Go” Bag
“Having a household disaster plan is an easy thing to do and it can make all the difference in the world during an emergency,” notes Warren Leek, director of Maricopa County Emergency Management. A good plan will cover what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency. An out-of-state friend or relative that family members can call if separated during a disaster should be designated. This contact can help communicate with others both in and out of the emergency area. According to Leek, all members of the family should have a copy of the plan and emergency contact information to keep in their wallets, purses and backpacks.
The second and third steps are about preparing to both stay and go. A list of standard household provisions are recommended to be set aside and rotated occasionally for sheltering in place, as well as the creation of a “Go” bag for evacuations.
“Evacuations can be tough enough, but they get really rough when you leave behind bank account numbers, medical records, family contact information, and insurance papers and like,” said Leek.
For more information on how to prepare, visit the county’s website at www.maricopa.gov or call 602-273-1411.