The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is spearheading a drive to educate families across the state about disaster preparation.
In accordance with September being National Preparedness Month, Illinois Emergency Management has joined forces with several other local groups to encourage families to ensure that they are prepared for the possibility of an emergency situation.
"The most common mistake in preparing for emergencies and disasters is to not take measurable steps to prepare at all," Joe Schroeder, Director of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency and the Emergency Manager for Grundy County, told the Morris Herald-News. "It is entirely possible to prepare by purchasing small items to build your supply kit in small increments and, in many cases, it is a matter of gathering things together that one already has in their own home and locating them in one easily accessed location.”
Joe Schroeder, Director of the Grundy County Emergency Management Agency
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Schroeder added that awareness is everything in preparing yourself for any situation.
“Remember to have situational awareness," he said. "For example if severe weather is your threat for the day, have an increased awareness of the weather forecasts and rapidly changing conditions. Be aware, be prepared and have a plan.”
For the last six years, Grundy County has had a Citizen’s Council that offers coordinated training events across the area. The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency also hosts as many as 30 preparedness events each year that feature information on how best to take action, and posts planning and preparedness information on social media.
Among the precautionary steps that state and Grundy County EMA officials recommend are safeguarding emergency funds in your budget, creating a family plan, allowing children to be part of the planning process and checking in with neighbors before and after anticipated dangerous weather episodes.
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