San Rafael, CA – When a major disaster strikes, citizens need to trust that government agencies will be there to help when it’s needed most. That’s one of the reasons why the theme of 2014 National Preparedness Month is “Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare.”
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) works all year to promote the Get Ready campaign mantra – be informed, make a plan, build a kit and get involved. The Marin County Board of Supervisors is preparing to issue a proclamation September 23 to recognize National Preparedness Month and urge residents to set aside time now to gather the survival items and provide peace of mind.
“Marin County was lucky to escape largely unscathed from the earthquake that recently hit Napa and Vallejo,” said Christopher Reilly, Marin County Sheriff’s Emergency Manager. “The best thing to come out of it for us was that it served as a reminder to take preparations seriously and use that reminder as an educational tool. You not only need to take precautionary measures to help you and your family, but you could be asked to help others.”
In the first week of September, the national readiness campaign focuses on reconnecting with family after a disaster. Next comes planning for specific needs before a disaster, followed by building an emergency kit and practicing for an emergency. The month long campaign is coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Marin OES provides emergency management services for the County and the surrounding operational area including its 11 cities/towns and more than 300 special districts. OES develops guidelines for emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation to natural disasters, man-made incidents and technological threats. It serves as the liaison between the state and all local government subdivisions.
In the event of a major catastrophe, Marin OES would open its Emergency Operations Center at its new facility on Los Gamos Drive in San Rafael if directed by the County emergency management authority. An activated EOC facilitates a coordinated response by all representatives from organizations that are assigned emergency management responsibilities.
Interested in learning more about preparedness? Check www.getreadymarin.org and register your mobile phone to receive emergency alerts at www.alertmarin.org.
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