Preparing today can help Hamilton County recover tomorrow
Coalition encourages residents to take steps to build resources for recovery needs
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Emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. A severe storm, extended power outage, fire or other unexpected event can quickly interrupt the routines families and businesses depend on every day.
During National Preparedness Month, the Hamilton County Emergency Preparedness Coalition is encouraging residents to take a few simple steps now that can make a meaningful difference when an emergency occurs, while also helping the community understand what happens after the immediate crisis has passed.
"Preparedness is something every household can take part in," said Tim Zahn, Hamilton County Emergency Management Coordinator. "A little planning ahead of time can make a big difference when normal communication, transportation or other services are disrupted."
Residents are encouraged to start with a few basic questions:
How will your family communicate? Choose a meeting location and make sure everyone knows how to reach one another if cell service is limited.
Do you have basic supplies available? Consider food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, chargers and other necessities your household may need if services are temporarily unavailable.
Can you access important information? Keep insurance information, identification, medication lists and other important documents somewhere they can be accessed quickly.
What would you do if everyday services were interrupted? Think through transportation, medical needs, pets and how your household would function during a prolonged power or utility outage.
"People do not need to make preparedness complicated. Start with the basics. Know how you will communicate, have essential supplies available and think through what your household would need if everyday services were interrupted."
Preparation, however, is only one part of how a community handles a disaster.
Preparedness happens before an emergency. Recovery begins afterward.
Recovery may include restoring services, helping residents meet immediate needs, repairing damage and assisting organizations as they respond to needs that can continue for weeks or months after the initial event.
Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is a member of the Hamilton County Emergency Preparedness Coalition and has established the Hamilton County Disaster Recovery Fund to provide a local charitable resource for organizations involved in disaster response and recovery.
"Government agencies, first responders and emergency services play critical roles when disaster strikes, but recovery often involves many other organizations as well," said Darcy Swon, Development Director of Enhance Hamilton County Foundation. "Having a charitable fund already in place gives Hamilton County another resource that can be activated when needs emerge instead of trying to build that structure after something has happened."
The Disaster Recovery Fund can support eligible local organizations involved in response and recovery efforts. Because needs vary depending on the type and severity of an emergency, charitable dollars can provide an additional source of support as local organizations work to help residents and communities recover.
One hundred percent of gifts to the Hamilton County Disaster Recovery Fund remain in Hamilton County.
Zahn said community preparedness works best when everyone has a role.
"Emergency preparedness is not the responsibility of one department or organization,” he said. “Individuals, families, businesses, local governments and community organizations all play a part. The more work we do before an emergency, the better positioned Hamilton County will be to respond and recover."
Residents, businesses and organizations can learn more about preparedness and the Hamilton County Disaster Recovery Fund at enhancehamiltoncounty.org/disaster-recovery.