Not if but when: Preparedness the focus of proclamation

Published on September 05, 2023

While every emergency is different, preparedness is the common denominator that can keep people safe and allow them to protect themselves, their pets and their property. That is the key message behind the proclamation of September as National Preparedness Month, an action taken last Wednesday by the Weld County Board of Commissioners.

The proclamation calls for residents to take time throughout the month to think about how an emergency may impact them and take steps to create evacuation plans or preparedness kits, each of which can be critical in keeping them safe and comfortable immediately following an emergency. The proclamation also recognizes the importance of emergency preparedness among older adults and encourages them to take many first steps in preparedness, such as identifying common disasters they may face, identifying emergency shelters in their community and increasing situational awareness through use of weather radios or by signing up for CodeRED.

While individual preparedness is a critical element to building a more resilient county overall, Roy Rudisill, Director of Weld County’s Office of Emergency Management, believes getting residents to adopt a not if but when mentality is necessary. After all, since 1965, 19 Weld County disaster declarations have been recorded, with residents being impacted by a variety of different events, including floods, blizzards and tornadoes.

“Weld County is not immune to disasters,” Rudisill said, mentioning the Weld County Flood in 2013 as one of many emergencies that have impacted the county since he became director in 2005. “A big step to preparedness is the understanding that everyone is susceptible to emergencies and that individuals have the ability to become more resilient in times of uncertainty through preparation.”

Preparedness extends beyond being ready to take action during severe weather. It can also involve having copies of important documents, understanding insurance coverage, having plans for livestock and pets and other steps that may be necessary to limit the disruption an emergency can cause. To help make the concept of preparedness more achievable, several tips are available in Weld County’s Emergency Preparedness Guide at www.weldoem.com and in the 12 Months of Emergency Tips flyers at www.weld.gov/go/pio. Additionally, throughout the month of September, posts on the county’s Facebook and Twitter platforms will highlight different aspects of emergency preparedness.

National Preparedness Month is a national campaign by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Campaign. This year’s national campaign is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3,” focusing on preparing older adults for disasters. Learn more at https://www.ready.gov/september#2023.