Each September, the FEMA / DHS Ready Campaign (www.ready.gov/september) collaborates with national, state and local community partners to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen in our communities at any time.  Emergency Officials in Lawrence County, OH urge residents to “Prepare to Protect”.  Michael Boster, Director of the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency offers this advice, “September is National Preparedness Month, and we, in Lawrence County, should put forth our best preparedness efforts!  Community-wide preparedness begins with each individual and family. We must protect ourselves by taking steps to prepare ourselves and our families…steps that will help ensure we can face the emergencies and disasters that can and will affect where we live, work and play.”

The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect.  Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love” 

During September 2021, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities, using Weekly Themes…but more on that in a minute.

Emergencies threaten the health and safety of our families and loss to our properties

Each year Lawrence County residents and guests face numerous emergencies or even disasters… events that put families and properties at risk.  These natural, manmade or technological events often have substantial negative impacts within our county, taking aim at nearly every community and threatening potential harm to the ones we love.  As recently as February 2021, for example, our county experienced a series of severe winter weather events that brought ice and snow to the county, crippling the electrical power grid, shutting down a major water supplier, affecting sewer and wastewater systems, halting most transportation routes, impacting the food supply and food services, and causing general frustration to everyone affected.  The storms left some residents and business owners without power, water and heat for more than two weeks, and some families were left homeless from tree damage to their residences.  The community at large, emergency response crews and elected officials pulled together to assist everyone as quickly as possible.  Overall economic impacts totaled in the millions of dollars.

Flooding is the most prevalent hazard Lawrence County faces.  Several times each year, the county experiences flooding threats in parts of or all across its 450 square-mile land mass.  Numerous factors such as the large watershed areas, steep hilly terrain, the Ohio River, stormwater runoff in rural and suburban areas, and the amounts and frequency of rainfall totals create flooding havoc, often cutting off travel routes and flooding homes and businesses. The county is not immune to various other hazards, both small and large, such as tornados / wind events; dam / levee failures; drought; severe summer and winter storms; landslides and land subsidence; earthquakes; wildfires; utility emergencies; hazardous materials releases; traffic crashes/transportation incidents; structure fires; cyber-attacks, infectious diseases; and so on.

“Many individuals and families do not take the time and put forth the effort it takes to prepare for emergency and disaster events,” said Michael Boster, Director of Emergency Management in Lawrence County, Ohio.  “Preparing for hazards that could affect you and your loved ones can make a difference between safety or injury and even life or death.” he added.  Being prepared is very much an individual activity, said Boster. “Preparedness takes many forms, and it begins with an awareness of the risks in your area and the hazards that are most likely to affect you.  A huge part of preparedness is simply discussing the hazards and writing down actions to take in response to those hazards.  The goal is to eliminate or lessen the impact of an emergency on you or your family.”

Weekly Themes

So, what should county residents and guests do to prepare?  FEMA / DHS and Ready.gov have designated September as “National Preparedness Month” and created resources to help individuals and families with preparedness activities. “Preparing to Protect” everyone you love only makes sense, and the steps taken ahead of time can make a difference in the safety of your loved ones and the impact on your property.  To help communities prepare, “National Preparedness Month” focuses on four areas of preparedness…one each week.

“Prepare to Protect” 

Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love

Week 1 September 1-4: Make A Plan

Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.

Week 2 September 5-11: Build A Kit

Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.  Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Week 3 September 12-18: Prepare for Disasters

Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.  Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.

Week 4 September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness

Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.

Finally, it’s up to YOU!

Make the health and safety of you and your family first priority by making time to prepare.  For more information, check outwww.ready.gov/september  

You may contact the Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency by calling 740-533-4375