Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1439464.html
Residents can take step-by-step approach to emergency preparedness
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
By Beverly Van Buskirk
How prepared are you if a disaster should strike?
Whether it be a tornado, flood, pandemic flu or other disaster, area residents need to be prepared so they can take care of their family and community.
It's that preparation that Floyd Valley Hospital and Floyd Valley Community Health are working toward with a new program, "20 Weeks to Preparedness."
On Monday, a group of business people, emergency personnel and hospital staff got a jump start on the program, which will officially kick off on July 21.
Floyd Valley Community Health nurse manager Deb Steffen explained the "20 Weeks to Preparedness" is an effort in cooperation with the Siouxland Health Department to get more people equipped and better prepared for an emergency situation.
"It seems time and money are the roadblocks to a family putting together a good emergency kit," Steffen told those assembled. "It may cost $150 to $200 for a kit and that's a lot for a family to spend at one time."
The "20 Weeks of Preparedness" program breaks those purchases down to affordable weekly purchases.
"By using this checklist, a family can put together a complete emergency kit in 20 weeks," Steffen said.
Tammy Hatting, risk manager for Floyd Valley Hospital, explained the information is posted on the Floyd Valley Hospital website, www.floydvalleyhospital.org under the Quick Links - Emergency Preparedness.
Individuals may download the week by week listing for the 20 Weeks of Preparedness shopping, and other pertinent information, according to Tammy Hatting, risk manager for Floyd Valley Hospital. Local stores will also have the weekly listing available.
"Those are all the tools needed to implement this program in your business and at home," Hatting told the audience at the Monday meeting.
The kick off coincides with the Plymouth County Fair and Hatting and Steffen noted they will have all the information at the hospital's booth at the fair.
Information about the program will also be sent by the Le Mars Fire Department in their annual mailing to households this summer.
Once purchased, where should a family keep their supplies?
Steffen suggests a large plastic tote box or a plastic garbage can with a tight-fitting lid.
"Keep the perishable items on a shelf," she said, "but keep all in an area that can be accessed quickly."
Emergency Services director Gary Junge added, "Crank flashlights really do work. And make sure you keep a supply of food and medication on hand, and rotate it regularly. Think of other personal items, too."
Steffen said another important component is a copy of important papers such as birth certificates. "Have them accessible, or put copies on a DVD."
The "20 Weeks of Preparedness" will not only help families become better equipped for emergencies, but will allow individuals to be more efficient employees in times of emergency as well, improving their health, their family's health, and the health and well-being of the community during an emergency.
Note: Click here to directly access the hospital's emergency prep info.
Residents can take step-by-step approach to emergency preparedness
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
By Beverly Van Buskirk
How prepared are you if a disaster should strike?
Whether it be a tornado, flood, pandemic flu or other disaster, area residents need to be prepared so they can take care of their family and community.
It's that preparation that Floyd Valley Hospital and Floyd Valley Community Health are working toward with a new program, "20 Weeks to Preparedness."
On Monday, a group of business people, emergency personnel and hospital staff got a jump start on the program, which will officially kick off on July 21.
Floyd Valley Community Health nurse manager Deb Steffen explained the "20 Weeks to Preparedness" is an effort in cooperation with the Siouxland Health Department to get more people equipped and better prepared for an emergency situation.
"It seems time and money are the roadblocks to a family putting together a good emergency kit," Steffen told those assembled. "It may cost $150 to $200 for a kit and that's a lot for a family to spend at one time."
The "20 Weeks of Preparedness" program breaks those purchases down to affordable weekly purchases.
"By using this checklist, a family can put together a complete emergency kit in 20 weeks," Steffen said.
Tammy Hatting, risk manager for Floyd Valley Hospital, explained the information is posted on the Floyd Valley Hospital website, www.floydvalleyhospital.org under the Quick Links - Emergency Preparedness.
Individuals may download the week by week listing for the 20 Weeks of Preparedness shopping, and other pertinent information, according to Tammy Hatting, risk manager for Floyd Valley Hospital. Local stores will also have the weekly listing available.
"Those are all the tools needed to implement this program in your business and at home," Hatting told the audience at the Monday meeting.
The kick off coincides with the Plymouth County Fair and Hatting and Steffen noted they will have all the information at the hospital's booth at the fair.
Information about the program will also be sent by the Le Mars Fire Department in their annual mailing to households this summer.
Once purchased, where should a family keep their supplies?
Steffen suggests a large plastic tote box or a plastic garbage can with a tight-fitting lid.
"Keep the perishable items on a shelf," she said, "but keep all in an area that can be accessed quickly."
Emergency Services director Gary Junge added, "Crank flashlights really do work. And make sure you keep a supply of food and medication on hand, and rotate it regularly. Think of other personal items, too."
Steffen said another important component is a copy of important papers such as birth certificates. "Have them accessible, or put copies on a DVD."
The "20 Weeks of Preparedness" will not only help families become better equipped for emergencies, but will allow individuals to be more efficient employees in times of emergency as well, improving their health, their family's health, and the health and well-being of the community during an emergency.
Note: Click here to directly access the hospital's emergency prep info.