September is National Preparedness Month, a time to raise awareness about preparing for disasters and emergencies before they happen.
In
Oregon, the impacts of a changing climate, coupled with the ever-present threat of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake and tsunami, underscore the urgent need for everyone in the state to be prepared for disasters.
Oregon's National Preparedness Month theme – Plan Today. Ready Tomorrow. – urges everyone to take active steps to
plan and prepare today to be ready for future emergencies and disasters.
Every Oregonian can be ready for emergencies, and it doesn't have to be expensive or happen all at once. It's about doing what you can with what you have, to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Being ready means having an emergency plan, staying informed and aware of risks, and knowing how to get information during an emergency.
There are many practical low-cost and no-cost actions Oregonians can take today to be ready for tomorrow, including:
A disaster can happen anywhere at any time, and once it occurs, it may take days or even weeks for responders to reach everyone impacted. For every person that is prepared, that's one less person first responders need to assist, saving precious time and allowing them to prioritize life-threatening situations and vulnerable people. Doing your part to prepare yourself and your loved ones truly helps to save the lives of others.
OEM's Be 2 Weeks Ready program recommends Oregonians have an emergency plan and enough food, water and supplies to survive for at least two weeks following any large-scale disaster.
Older adults,
people with disabilities and their caregivers should consider individual circumstances and specific needs when planning for emergencies and create a support network of people who can help during a disaster.
Several downloadable equitable and accessible readiness resources are available to help inform all Oregonians of their risks and ways to help one another prepare. Contact your county or tribe emergency management office to request printed copies.
You may be more prepared than you think. Start integrating preparedness into your daily lifestyle today!