The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management (DEM), Nevada National Guard (NVNG), Division of Public and Behavioral Health’s (DPBH), Public Health Preparedness Program (PHP) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) are partnering together to participate in National Preparedness Month to encourage the public to plan for emergencies.

Each week an agency will be promoting a variety of awareness and preparedness tips to help the public plan ahead for an emergency. DEM urges Nevadans to prepare for an emergency that would require self-reliance for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or local services, household medical needs, and possibly without response from first responders.

“National Preparedness Month is a critical reminder about each person’s responsibility to plan and prepare for any emergency,” said Emergency Management Chief Caleb Cage. “Recent natural disaster and emergency incidents should serve as a reminder to each of us that we must prepare ourselves and our families for such disasters. Most people know they should prepare for an emergency by creating a disaster supply kit, a family plan, know basic emergency medical techniques and practice their evacuation plan. Yet national statistics show that only 39 percent have developed an emergency plan. Our goal this year is to encourage all individuals, communities and organizations to prepare for emergencies with these four easy steps.”

  1. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency
  2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency
  3. Build an emergency supply kit
  4. Get involved

Sep. was designated as National Preparedness Month in honor of the Sep. 11 attacks. As we remember the 15 anniversary of that tragedy let’s take a few moments with our families to prepare for an emergency. During times of disasters and incidents the Nevada National Guard has and always will be a valuable source that the Governor can use to support the communities of the great state of Nevada.

Disaster can strike at a moment’s notice and no one is exempt from the damage that a disaster brings. Which is why it is so critical that our guardsmen across the state of Nevada are prepared in the event of an emergency. “One of the Nevada National Guard’s primary missions is to support the Governor and people of Nevada in times of emergencies and disasters and we take that responsibility very seriously.” said Nevada National Guard Adjutant General, Brigadier General Bill Burks, who commands 4,300 Air and Army guardsmen in the state.

Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. When guardsmen and their families know what to do when an emergency strikes it saves time, property and most importantly lives. The strength of our guardsmen comes from the strength of their families.

Dr. John DiMuro, Chief Medical Officer of the Nevada Division of Public & Behavioral Health, urges the citizens of Nevada to stay vigilant on planning ahead for an emergency.

Be informed about community emergency response plans. Make a family reunification plan in case you are not together when a disaster strikes. Build a three-day emergency kit including nonperishable food, water, and medications for each person (and pet) within your household. Get involved in your community’s emergency preparedness planning efforts. For additional information on health preparedness tips please visit http://dpbh.nv.gov/programs/php/php_-_home/.

Kay Scherer, Interim Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, encourages Nevadans to prepare for wildfires, floods and environmental accidents. Preparedness Month is a great time to remind Nevadans that if they see oil, hazardous materials or other pollutants being released, they can confidentially report this to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s toll-free spill hotline at 888-331-6337.

Scherer also invites Nevadans to visit www.nevadafloods.org to find out what everyone should know about actions each of us can take before, during and after a flood to protect life and property.   “When it comes to wildfire, the need to create defensible space, use fire resistant construction materials, and properly storing firewood and other combustible materials is critical to reducing risk,” said Scherer, noting that the Nevada Division of Forestry website at www.forestry.nv.gov has information on how prepare and protect homes to survive a wildfire.