GENESEO, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2022 — Every September, National Preparedness Month is observed around the country to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.
This year’s theme is “A Lasting Legacy: The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.”
Officials from the County’s Department of Health and Office of Emergency Management are encouraging residents to make a plan to prepare for potential disasters starting with a simple emergency preparedness checklist. The checklist can be used to create a disaster supplies kit for the home - a collection of basic items a household may need in the event of an emergency.
“A good rule of thumb is to check your kit when you change your clocks for daylight saving time, replace expired items and update the items as your needs change,” added Livingston County Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez. “Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare an emergency supply kit for your car, too.”
Examining a range of possible disaster conditions with family members and what to do in each situation is also an important step, said Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Brodell.
“Discussing a range of possible disaster scenarios with family members and what to do in each situation is also an important step,” he added. “Make sure your family has a plan and practices it often. There’s a certain level of chaos that often accompanies emergencies so having that plan in place that you’ve already carried out before can be key to surviving a potentially life-threatening situation.”
More information is available at the County’s emergency preparedness page or by calling the Livingston County Department of Health at (585) 243-7524 or Office of Emergency Management at (585) 243-7160.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is comprised of more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.