GHS/OCD Promotes September as National Preparedness Month

   

GHS/OCD Promotes September as National Preparedness Month

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) invite the island to celebrate September as National Preparedness Month (NPM). The NPM theme for this year is “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.”
 
NPM is held annually in the month of September. During the month, the community is encouraged to conduct preparedness actions, develop emergency plans, learn how to stay safe, and how to communicate during an emergency. National Preparedness Month provides an excellent opportunity to highlight Guam’s emergency management capabilities.
 
“National Preparedness Month promotes family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our nation continues to respond to and recover from COVID-19, we humbly ask for your involvement and participation,” stated Charles Esteves, Office of Civil Defense Administrator. “We encourage everyone to use this month to update your individual and organizational emergency plans with special consideration for planning during a pandemic,” Esteves continued.
 
The NPM Weekly Themes are as follows:
 
  • Week 1 September 1-5: Make a Plan: Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.
  • Week 2 September 6-12: Build a Kit: Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.  Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.
  • Week 3 September 13-19: Prepare for Disasters: Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.  Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.
  • Week 4 September 20-26: Teach Youth about Preparedness: Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.
 
GHS/OCD will host emergency preparedness contests for elementary, middle, and high school students to participate in safely from the comfort of their homes and will promote preparedness tips online. While building a kit and making a plan from home, the community is also encouraged to follow GHS/OCD online on Facebook and Instagram to view preparedness tips and activities by emergency management partners.
 
Learn more about event details and ways you can participate throughout the month:
  National Prepardness Month Poster
 

For media inquiries, contact Public Information Officer, Jenna Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.
 
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