Get Trained to Help Your Neighbors During Emergencies

Emergencies happen all the time. It's important to have training and practice needed to know how to properly respond to many different situations that may occur. 

 

At home, once you have built your kit and developed your plan you need to practice and maintain it. Train your family to manage disasters by practicing and conducting family disaster drills. This will help you know what to do during difficult times. 

 

In your communities, there are tons of really great training opportunities across the country aimed to help emergency managers, first responders, community organizers and volunteers learn more about responding to a variety of emergency situations. These programs are designed to get you the information and training you need to start doing the same in your communities. 

 

Today, we're introducing you to just a few of the many different training and volunteer opportunities found nationally to help you prepare yourself, your family and your community for many different emergency situations:

 

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.  Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

Earthquakes Can Happen at Any Time of the Year

By FEMA's Ready.gov

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over a long time.

All 50 states and 5 U.S. territories are at some risk for earthquakes.  Earthquakes can happen at any time of year.

The 2011 East Coast earthquake illustrated the fact that it is impossible to predict when or where an earthquake will occur, so it is important that you and your family are prepared ahead of time.

Learn more about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake at www.Ready.gov/earthquakes.

April is National Financial Capability Month

By FEMA's Ready Campaign

Disasters not only affect community infrastructure and public works, but they often overcome family finances, making recovery difficult and sometimes impossible. Before, during and after disasters strike, we work with a number of non-profit, voluntary and faith-based groups who specialize in getting disaster survivors financially back on their feet.

Be financially prepared for emergencies. Start by completing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit. This document can help you keep track of important documentation, like insurance policy information, so you have clear financial records that will help maintain stability in the event of an emergency.

For more information, visit: 

http://www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness 

http://www.mymoney.gov/Pages/default.aspx