National Preparedness Month draws focus to variety of actions

September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide campaign, now in its 15th year that aims to remind households, businesses and communities of the importance of preparing for all kinds of catastrophes.

Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins urges local residents to sign up for the Whitman County/City of Pullman Emergency Alert System to receive notification of natural disasters as soon as a threat is recognized. See Whitman County’s Emergency Management page as well as PPD’s website and social media platforms to find additional disaster preparedness resources.

For Whitman County, this past August and the choking veil of smoke it brought was a stark reminder of the natural hazards endemic to our region. When disaster strikes, our residents often leap to aid neighbors before first responders can arrive.

The NPM campaign urges learning lifesaving skills like CPR and first aid. A familiarity with the costs associated with disasters can prevent even further harm in an emergency. To this end, residents are urged to read up on their insurance policies regarding natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes or fire in order to fully understand the financial damage these hazards can inflict.

For more information on the NPM campaign, visit http://www.ready.gov.