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National Preparedness Month
September has been declared National Preparedness Month by the President of the United States. Safeguard Iowa Partnership is in support of this campaign to increase awareness and assist your organization in becoming as prepared as possible for disasters.
Iowa has had a number of extreme weather situations in the past year, from the blizzards and snowstorms, to spring and summer flooding. How quickly can your company get back to business after a terrorist attack, a tornado, a fire or a flood? Since 2007, Iowa has had 10 presidential declared disasters. Iowa has experienced a total of 44 presidential disasters since 1953, so just less than a quarter of historical declarations have occurred in the last three years. Though each situation is unique, any organization can be better prepared if it plans carefully, puts emergency procedures in place and practices for emergencies of all kinds.
America's businesses form the backbone of the nation's economy; small businesses along account for more than 99% of all companies with employees, employ 50% of all private-sector workers and provide nearly 45% of the nation's payroll. If businesses are READY to survive and recover, the nation and our economy are more secure. A commitment to planning today will help support employees, customers, the community, the local economy and even the country. It also protects your business investment and gives your company a better chance for survival.
A number of activities along with information on how your organization can be better prepared is available during National Preparedness Month. Start planning today for the future of your disaster should it be impacted by a disaster. We encourage you share the information with your employees as they are impacted your organization will be impacted.
- 9/11 Drill Down - List of very easy yet important drills your organization could consider conducting in the month of September.
- Press releases - Polk County Emergency Management has launched a campaign to include a topic for each week. You might consider incorporating the information into your company newsletter, Intranet or posting the information on bulletin board or other locations where employees can learn more about being prepared.
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- Week 2: Focus is on businesses and what they can do to make sure their employees are informed and have a plan to keep employees safe should an event occur.
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- Week 3: CODERED is a new Emergency Notification System in Polk County. Information on how and when it is used and how you can sign up to stay informed!
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- Week 4: Polk County Siren Policy. Information on why it is important and how many other communities are following along with the siren systems in place to go off anytime winds are forecast to hit 70 mph or greater. The 70 mph trigger is also used in Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities.
- Training - Free webinars are being offered by FEMA during National Preparedness Month for the business community.
- September 1st at 1 p.m. CDT: Business Preparedness - Can you go alone for 72 hours? Guest speaker: Mr. David Paulison, Former Administrator, FEMA. To register click here.
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- September 15th at 1 p.m CDT: Private Sector Preparedness Certification Program - Advantages for a small to mid-sized business? Guest speaker: Mr. Marcus Pollock, Operations Officer, FEMA. To register click here.
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- September 22nd at 1 p.m. CDT: Business Preparedness - Both Inside and Outside of Your Organization. Guest speaker: Ms. Jackie Snelling, Individual and Community Preparedness Division, Citizen Corps, DHS/FEMA. To register click here.
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- September 29th at 1 p.m. CDT: Survivor Panel - Businesses Who Survived Disasters Speak on Lessons Learned. To register click here.
- Online tools - Key websites to learn more about preparedness go to:
Severe Weather Resources:
Polk County
Fact Sheets:
- Flash Flooding: Flash Flooding is the number one weather related killer in the United States. Never drive into a flooded area! For more information, check out the fact sheet.
- Warning Reception. Over the years, the ways to get hazardous weather warnings has changed. Today, we will focus on how to get a warning. Do you know how you get a warning? For additional information, check out the fact sheet on receiving warnings.
- Tornadoes. In 2008, 13 people died from this threat in Iowa. Do you know where the safest place is in your home or car? For additional information, check out the fact sheet on tornadoes.
- Severe Thunderstorms. Hundreds of severe thunderstorms hit Iowa each year. Did you know severe thunderstorms can be as dangerous as tornadoes? For additional information, check out the fact sheet on severe thunderstorms.
- Family Preparedness. Learn about family safety from natural and man made hazards. For additional information, check out our fact sheet on family preparedness.
National Weather Service Offices Covering Iowa:
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