Written by Courtney Arroyo, Assistant Coordinator of the Communications and Community Engagement, Department of Emergency Management and Security 

This September, join the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security (DEMS) in celebrating National Preparedness Month! This time serves as an important reminder for friends, families, coworkers, and classmates to pause and take time to make an emergency plan, pack an emergency kit, and help build a more resilient community!

When preparing, it’s essential to recognize the importance of all-hazard planning, meaning you account for the wide range of emergencies that can affect Fairfax County. These may range from flooding, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms, and extreme heat. Each hazard presents different and unique challenges, which should be addressed in your emergency plans and kits.

For example: 

• Flooding:
  • important documents should always be kept in waterproof containers and
  • evacuation plans for residents living in low-lying areas  
• Hurricanes or tornadoes:
  • shelter-in-place supplies and 
  • communication plan in case of power outages and cell service interruptions 
• Extreme heat or cold:
  • stocking weather-appropriate gear and
  • knowing where to access community shelters or cooling/warming centers 

To help promote better community preparedness, DEMS developed the Community Emergency Response Guide (CERG). The CERG is a comprehensive resource designed to help individuals, families, neighborhoods, and organizations prepare for this wide range of emergencies. It includes actionable checklists, planning templates, and hazard-specific guidance to the many different hazards Fairfax County may face. 

Another crucial part of preparedness is ensuring that you can receive timely emergency alerts. Fairfax Alerts is a free, customizable notification system that sends real-time alerts based on your location. Stay informed about weather warnings, road closures, public safety threats, and more.

Sign up today at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts

Want to Learn More?

Watch the recent webinar on National Preparedness Month for more tips on how you can prepare your family for any emergency.

Courtney Arroyo serves as the Assistant Coordinator for Communications and Community Engagement for DEMS and is a member of the National Capital Region Incident Management Team. She is dedicated to helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies.

 

Climate Matters is the blog of Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, where we share stories, insights and information related to climate change and environmental sustainability. Posts are written by knowledgeable and passionate OEEC staff members and guest authors. To read all blog posts, visit Climate Matters.