San Rafael, CA – Local residents trust that government agencies will be there to help them when it’s needed most, especially during a major disaster. That’s one of the reasons why the theme of 2015 National Preparedness Month is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
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 plans to recognize National Preparedness Month in a coming meeting and urge residents to set aside time to gather survival items and make emergency plans.
“Marin County has been lucky that no major wildland fires have occurred similar to those that recently plagued Northern California and Washington state,” said Christopher Reilly, Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services Manager. “Those fires served as a reminder for us 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.”
The 2015 weekly hazard focused themes are:
- Week 1, September 1-5 Flood
- Week 2, September 6-12 Wildfire
- Week 3, September 13-19 Hurricane
- Week 4, September 20-26 Power outage
- Week 5, September 27-30 Lead up the National PrepareAthon Day on September 30
Marin OES provides emergency management services for unincorporated Marin and the surrounding operational area including its 11 cities and 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 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 the number on your mobile phone to receive emergency alerts at www.alertmarin.org. Follow us on Twitter @marinsheriff and sign up for Nixle alerts at www.nixle.com or by texting your ZIP code to 888777.