September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department is encouraging all residents to take steps to prepare for emergencies including earthquakes, floodings, mudslides and fires. FEMA’s 2023 National Preparedness Month campaign focus’ on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically those from communities that may need additional support.

“National Preparedness Month is an excellent opportunity to take steps to prepare for emergencies. By creating an emergency kit, making an emergency plan, and staying informed, you can help protect yourself, your family and your community,” said Bruce Barton, Director of Emergency Management Department. “Preparedness is key to increasing your resiliency and the time to prepare is now. “

Everyone can benefit from being prepared for emergencies, and earthquake preparedness is especially important here, in Riverside County.

Major earthquakes could come from any of the three major faults here in Riverside County: The San Andreas fault, the Elsinore fault, or the San Jacinto fault. Earthquakes can strike without warning and cause significant damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. They can also cause injuries and fatalities. Being prepared for an earthquake can help you and your family stay safe and minimize damage to your property.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for any disaster:

• Create an emergency kit: Your emergency kit should include enough food, water, and supplies to last for at least three days. You should also include a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a battery-powered radio.
• Plan: Create a family emergency plan that includes a meeting place and contact information for family members. Don’t forget to include your pets in your planning. Once you have your plan, make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency.
• Secure your home: Secure heavy furniture and appliances to prevent them from falling during an earthquake. You should also make sure your home is up to code and can withstand seismic activity.
• Older adults should pay extra attention to securing items that might fall in an earthquake and make moving in the home more difficult. Additionally, those taking medications should ensure they have a plan have enough medication to last 3-7 days. Additionally, power companies often have programs to assist those with powered medical devices with battery back up equipment.
• Stay informed: Sign up for the Alert RivCo notification system to receive emergency alerts and warnings. You should also stay informed about risks and preparedness by following the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department on social media and attending preparedness training and events.

The Alert RivCo notification system is a vital tool for staying informed about emergency events in Riverside County. The system is used by local public safety agencies to rapidly alert and warn residents of emergencies requiring action for their specific address/area, such as earthquakes, wildfires, and hazardous materials incidents.

Signing up for Alert RivCo is easy and free. You can register online at https://rivcoready.org/alert-rivco/ or by calling (951) 358-7100. Don't wait until it's too late - sign up for Alert RivCo today and stay informed.

If you have older adults in your life, reach out to see if you can help them with their own preparedness. With a little preparation, you, and those around you can be more resilient when emergencies occur.

For more preparedness tips, go to RivCoReady.org.

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