Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness this National Preparedness Month

As September is National Preparedness Month, we are helping raise awareness about the importance of getting involved in your community’s planning and preparedness. Unfortunately, emergency situations can arise at any time, many of which are not foreseen ahead of time. Even if you already have a plan for yourself and your loved ones, being involved in your community’s disaster preparations can help you stay connected to the resources available in your local area. In honor of National Preparedness Month, let us share with you a few ways you can get involved in your community’s preparedness plans. 

1. Participate in a certification program.

Did you know that there are various FEMA-sponsored Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) you can get involved with? The CERTs train volunteers to prepare for specific types of disasters that individual communities may face. This can range from fires to natural disasters, and includes training on fire safety, search and rescue, first aid, and team organization. To become a volunteer, we encourage you to visit the CERTs website to find your local team.

2. Volunteer in your community.

One of the easiest ways to get involved is to volunteer in your community. Every community has voluntary organizations that work together before and in the aftermath of a disaster. While the types of organizations may differ from community to community, help is always needed and appreciated when it comes to disaster preparedness. To discover the volunteer opportunities available in your local community, we encourage you to visit www.nvoad.org. 

3. Help out your neighbors.

Did you know that 46 percent of people rely on people in their neighborhood for assistance within the first 72 hours after a disaster? The aftermath of a disaster can be especially overwhelming and it may take some time for first responders and emergency management personnel to reach your area. Checking-in on and helping out your neighbors is one way to help boost community morale and begin the recovery process.

These are just a few tips to help you get involved in your community’s preparedness. Above all, if you have any hurricane-related or safety concerns, do not wait to contact our office. We are the community law firm here for you 24/7. We encourage you to schedule a free case evaluation so that we may assist you with your hurricane insurance related questions.