This September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). Johnson County has committed to participate in National Preparedness to increase preparedness throughout the U.S. The event, now in its ninth year, is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, encouraging households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies. Johnson County Emergency Management (JCEM) is participating this year by:

• Proclamation by the Board of County Commissioners of Johnson County, Kansas proclaiming September 2012, as “National Preparedness Month” on Thursday August 30th.
• Participation in the 2012 Johnson County Old Settlers celebration (Sept. 6-8) in downtown Olathe.  JCEM staff plan to speak one-on-one with citizens about emergency preparedness, educational and promotional materials about emergency preparedness will be available to the public. 
• Posting daily preparedness messages on JCEM social media sites, acknowledging and promoting NPM on the JCEM website www.jocoem.org.
• Johnson County Citizens Corps Council in coordination with CERT Teams Program & Johnson County Animal Response Team (JOCART) will be conducting an “Animals in Disaster” seminar on Sept. 29th from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, 136 East Washington Street (Livestock Pavilion) Gardner, KS. This seminar is part of the preparedness plan to deal with animals during and following a disaster, it will consist of lecture and hands-on experience with live animals.

During the month, county emergency management staff will encourage local citizens to make themselves and their families better prepared for emergencies by taking specific action steps in doing at least one of the following:

• Learn about emergency hazards and their appropriate responses;
• Make a communications plan;
• Build an emergency kit; and,
• Get involved in preparedness in their community.

“We are proud to once again be part of this nationwide preparedness effort” said Dan Robeson, Deputy Director of Johnson County Division of Emergency Management.  “A few fairly simple preparation measures at your home and at work could save lives.”

This is the ninth year that Johnson County Emergency Management has been involved with NPM. 

For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov/community or call 11-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585.

For more information about emergency management or notification, please visit www.jocoem.org.