Ding.

Time to get my disaster face on.
HQ, I copy the demob orders from Texas and Puerto Rico.
I also copy the new deployment orders for Florida.
When planning for tools in your kits for your family and friends, canned goods are great, but don’t forget about the….
PlanAhead to include a can opener in your emergency preparedness kits. Bec you never know when it might come in handy. #NatlPrep

Make sure you are prepared for anything including your own foods.

And for good measure, get some SPAM!
For more free planning and preparedness tips, check out www.ready.gov
FEMA Administrator Brock Long made a poignant statement about his employees today in the NY Times:
“…this is what we train for” – FEMA Administrator Brock Long

Brock Long, center, at a briefing on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts with President Trump and local organizations in Corpus Christi, Tex., last week. Credit Doug Mills/The New York Times
Yes sir, we train all the time.

Many instructors across this nation can attest the long hours we spend providing training for hundreds of thousands of our all-hazards public safety professionals from all walks of life.
This is truly what we train for.
Accounting and preparing your food for three days per person seems easy, but you’ll have to do better nutrition planning than just cans of vienna sausage and cup-o-noodles.
Make sure you PlanAhead for your favorite #MRE in your emergency preparedness kit otherwise you will have an unsavory disaster. #NatlPrep

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) is a great resource for your kit. Plan accordingly as you should find the right flavor that meets your needs. There are various flavors now including (vegan, gluten free, vegetarian, etc…)
IMHO, hot sauce/sriracha is still critically important.
Choose wisely and improve your chances during a disaster.

For more tips, check out http://www.ready.gov
#PlanAhead for your emergency food supply!
No matter what kind of family pet you have, please make sure when you evacuate that you take your pets with you!
Evacuating? Fur sure take your pets w/ you & bring their pet emergency preparedness kit that has food + water + meds + IDs #NatlPrep

Your plan should identify specific shelters that can shelter your pets. Big or small!

Also, if your pet is soaked because of the rain, that’s not fun. So keep an extra pet rain coat handy too.High viz is extra awesome too.

Need a few more ideas for your pet preparedness kit? My pet preparedness kit includes a 3×5 notecard with

More tips can be found online for your pet preparedness plan at www.ready.gov/pets.

KacyTheDog approves your preparedness efforts too!

All PreparednessPups agree – Don’t get licked by poor planning.

#PlanAhead today!
People often ask me about my backpack and what I carry in there all the time. Many inquire about the large locking carabiner on the top grab handle.
Plan to include several carabiners that will allow you to hang your important items up and away from flood waters. #NatlPrep

I always keep my important documents (like copies of insurance cards, family communications plan, and out of state contacts) away from flood/wet areas. The carabiner allows me to hang my bag anywhere so my important documents never get wet.

My important documents are off the floor in the bathroom!
When putting together your kit, always include carabiners as they are multi-functional.

Another pro tip: Do NOT get a cheap carabiner, get sturdy rugged carabiners.
All month long, free preparedness tips for National Preparedness Month!
Welcome to another solid start of Ohio EMA’s G-235: Emergency Planning course!

Thank you to Ashtabula County EMA for hosting this class for participants from three different FEMA regions. Here’s Ashtabula County EMA Deputy Director Tim Settles welcoming message to all our participants.

I immediately started involving them on identifying solid planning system characteristics.

Great discussion among Fire representatives, Emergency Management, and Red Cross professionals.

Additionally, CERT and HAM radio operators’ involvement was critical in plan writing as they will be testing/using those annexes.

Team leads from the Ohio National Guard / 52nd Civil Support Unit attended and worked closely with leadership from local/county EMAs.

Outstanding first day of class!
Before you hear “I got a headache!!!!!” – everyone should have planned to keep extra medications in their emergency preparedness kit. And I know, you got the case of the MUNDAYS – so for sure we might have a few headaches.So make sure your planning includes extra medications for everyone in your family.
Make a medications list and plan to maintain an extra 3-5 days of your meds in your emergency preparedness kit. #NatlPrep

Never know when you might have to use some meds.

For more great preparedness tips, check out my friends at www.ready.gov
Be safe and PlanAhead!