Local governments and organizations across the National Capital Region will sponsor community events and distribute information on preparing for emergencies to mark September as National Preparedness Month.
Local officials in Arlington and Alexandria, for example, are distributing information on basic preparedness door-to-door in their neighborhoods. The City of Rockville will release the results of a survey on how well their residents are prepared for emergencies.
The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) will distribute a new publication that explains how to get home from the Metro rail stations on either side of your normal entry station and how to use the Metro bus system instead of the rail system if necessary.
“Our hard work began immediately after the 2001 terrorist attacks, and it has not stopped,” said Carol Schwartz, chair of the National Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Council (EPC). “We have a new, state-of-the-art communications system in place for our region’s police and fire officials, we have improved coordination amongst the region’s emergency managers, and we have new systems in place to help health and transportation officials work together during emergencies.” Ms. Schwartz said the EPC will continue to work on additional improvements to ensure our region’s preparedness.
The EPC’s accomplishments include:
· The purchase of new 800 megahertz radios to help first responders from different jurisdictions communicate directly with each other;
· The purchase of new personal protective equipment for first responders;
· Development of a regional system to track diseases and their early symptoms;
· A coordinated emergency transportation planning process;
· Coordination of the region’s emergency plans with the Department of Homeland Security.
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
SEPTEMBER 2004
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
September 9 – “Emergency Preparedness Day” event to be hosted by the DC Emergency Management Agency (EMA), DC Citizen Corps and the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, where Mayor Williams will hand out free emergency “go-kits” kits to seniors. This will be one of many opportunities for citizens and visitors to take part in activities designed to help them learn more about emergency preparedness.
September 11 – EMA present to hand out emergency preparedness information at the Black Family Reunion Celebration (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and the National Press Club 5K. (9 a.m.)
September 12 – EMA present to hand out emergency preparedness information at the Adams Morgan Day Festival. (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
September 18 – EMA present to hand out emergency preparedness information at the American Indian Museum Grand Opening (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.) and Bike DC. (6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
September – Mayor Williams to proclaim September as Preparedness Month in the District of Columbia. Also, a major advertising campaign designed to get citizens to enroll in the text alert portion of Alert DC, the District’s new citizen emergency notification program, will begin.
MARYLAND
September 9 – Emergency preparedness event at the Broadmead Long Term Care Facility in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
September 17 – Participation (with display) in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Open House at their Headquarters on Vermont Avenue N.W. DC.
September 22-24 – Participation (with display) in the Conference on Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities in Arlington, VA.
Frederick County
August 31 – “Pledge to Prepare” proclamation from County Commissioners.
September 9 – September 11th tribute at Winchester Hall.
September – Emergency preparedness programming will run on local cable access. County web site will post the American Red Cross “Together we prepare” campaign to reach out to county residents and employees.
Prince George’s County
September 11 – Prince George’s County Health Department is sponsoring a Pack, Plan and Practice Emergency Preparedness Campaign. They will be distributing free bags containing Emergency Preparedness step-by-step guide, including wallet cards and refrigerator magnet in 8 locations around the county. Also, the 27 municipalities will get 100 of these bags to distribute.
Rockville
August 30 – September 3 – Rockville to release the results of a survey on citizen emergency preparedness in the “City” monthly newsletter that went to Rockville residents and businesses. They received 150 responses to the unscientific survey and will release the results to the metropolitan Washington media after Labor Day.
VIRGINIA
September 9 - The Governor will sign a proclamation designating the month, Virginia National Preparedness Month, and will participate in an information fair at Virginia Commonwealth University. A news release will be sent out as well.
Alexandria
September 9 - Alexandria’s plans for National Preparedness Month will include a “kick off” of a year-long Be Ready, Alexandria! emergency preparedness campaign. On that day, volunteers working with the Red Cross and City officials will hand out basic emergency preparedness information to residents in one section of the City. Over the next several months, volunteers will be distributing information door to door to all residents in the City.
September 10 - At noon, a 9-11 remembrance is scheduled for City employees on Market Square in front of City Hall. The brief program will include music.
September 11 - Volunteers and the Red Cross will distribute emergency preparedness literature at the Potomac Yards shopping center. Included in the literature will be a checklist of safety items every household should have.
Fairfax County
September 11 - Remembrance Ceremony in the 9/11 Memorial Grove Garden, 7 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center.
September 13 - National Preparedness Month proclamation by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
September 13 - Open House and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Alternate Emergency Operations Center, noon – 2 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center.
September 17 - “Connect with the County Exec” – A cable program for county staff on the Fairfax County Training Network highlighting the county’s new alternate emergency operations center and preparedness efforts.
September – The Fairfax County Citizen Corps will be distributing flyers to homeowners’ associations and PTAs on preparedness. The program “Making a Difference” will air on cable public access channel 10 featuring a panel of county officials discussing county preparedness.
Falls Church
September 1 - Media Release – Announcement on what Falls Church is doing to educate the public about National Preparedness Month.
September 13 - City Council proclamation presentation. Brief presentation to the public about how to prepare.
September 17 – First Aid Kits/Fact sheets – Hand out first aid kits and fact sheets at the Omelet Breakfast
September 18 - Fall Festival - Hand out Emergency preparedness brochures at Fall Festival.
August – September - Community Partnerships - Work with National Preparedness Month’s partners – Starbucks – pick up your family plans at Starbucks. Ask Schools/Sheriff’s Office to spread the word about National Preparedness Month.
September – E-mail Messages – Tips on being prepared weekly. For employees, article in the Chronicle on being prepared at work. Power Point Presentation on Channel 12. Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed message. FOCUS Article Series—5 series running from September 2 through September 30 educating the public about preparedness. Friday Folder Flyers – Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed. Emergency Cards to include all information #’s.
Prince William
September 7 – New Emergency Operations Center (EOC) ribbon-cutting ceremony.
September 8 – First monthly meeting at the new EOC.
September 11 – Community event with Prince William County Schools to dedicate the new sundial memorial at Freedom High School. 8:30 a.m.
September – A citizen guide was sent to every home in Prince William County. (Includes 3 pages on preparedness) County cable access will run preparedness information from FEMA.
WMATA
September 1 - Tentative announcement of the establishment of a Metro Citizen Corps. A news release will be issued.
September 9 - Metro officials will participate in an announcement/press event hosted by the Department of Homeland Security with DHS Secretary Tom Ridge.
September 15 – The first class of the Metro Citizen Corps is tentatively scheduled to meet. Media will be invited to view/attend the class. It will be held in the evening.
Metro is creating a new publication that is an “Alternate Route Planning Guide” (English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese) that explains how to get home from the one or two stations on either side of your normal entry station and how to get home from the next rail line or terminal station. It will also explain how to get home using Metro bus only instead of rail.
Throughout the month, each Tuesday and Thursday, Metro will have a “safety table/booth” at select Metro rail stations where customers can pick up information on emergency planning.
Metro will increase its internal system advertising on what to do in case of an emergency and run a new Ad Council/Dept. Homeland Security PSA that will run in all Metrobuses.
Board of Trade
September 14 – Greater Washington Board of Trade Emergency Preparedness Task Force Meeting.
Monthly meeting of Greater Washington Board of Trade Emergency Preparedness Task Force which works to develop programs and policies to integrate the private sector--both businesses and nonprofit organizations--into emergency preparedness and response planning in Greater Washington.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
· The American Red Cross will organize Together We Prepare Saturday, September 18 with its chapters nationwide. Chapters are encouraged to sponsor events in their communities such as first aid trainings and preparedness fairs. The organization’s website, www.redcross.org will also launch an online store in September with new pre-packaged products to compliment the wide range of preparedness resources.
· The America Prepared Campaign has galvanized the private sector in support of National Preparedness Month by providing prep