State Agencies Urge Residents To Be Prepared

September Marks Eighth Annual National Preparedness Month

Nashville, TN (2011-09-07) State officials with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the Tennessee Department of Health held a joint news conference today to recognize this September as the eighth annual National Preparedness Month and the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Hosted at the National Guard Headquarters in Nashville, the event was organized to encourage Tennesseans to plan and prepare for all types of emergencies.

“In the wake of the floods, tornadoes and severe storms that recently hit Tennessee, we have certainly experienced our share of disasters in 2011,” said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons. “However, in this post 9/11 era, citizens must prepare for man-made disasters as well as Mother Nature. As we approach the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, this year’s Preparedness Month theme of ‘A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare.’ is definitely timely.”

Acts of terrorism have become a realistic threat in today’s society, and preparing for a terrorist attack is much the same as it is for other emergencies. Citizens should be able identify potential hazards in their region or community; know how to stay informed on community emergency plans; and understand how to create an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit.

Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Assistant Commissioner and Homeland Security Advisor David W. Purkey also urged Tennesseans to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the state’s Homeland Security Office. “Be vigilant of your surroundings and report any unusual behavior, packages or devices,” Purkey said. “If you see something, say something.”

Most Tennesseans are familiar with natural disasters, as the state was affected by floods in the west and tornadoes in the east this past spring. The spring of 2010 also saw record-breaking flooding in middle Tennessee. Those disasters are just another reminder that every citizen needs to prepare and develop a plan before a disaster strikes.

“Being prepared can reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your loved ones’ well-being, as well as your property, and can sometimes help you avoid the danger completely,” said TEMA Director James Bassham. “Developing a plan before a disaster strikes will set the tone for what happens after.”

It’s equally important for citizens to take precautions during the recovery phase of a disaster. Susan Cooper, the state’s Department of Health Commissioner, said residents returning to flood-or-storm-damaged homes or businesses should take the necessary steps to prevent injury or illness.

Basic disaster response skills can be met through the Tennessee Citizen Corps program’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training, which teaches basic emergency response measures to include fire prevention and suppression, head to toe medical assessments, and light search and rescue.

For additional information please contact, Tennessee Citizens Corps State Coordinator, Anna Smith (615) 741-1085 or visit www.citizencorps.gov Tennesseans can report suspicious activities online at http://www.tn.gov/homelandsecurity/report_susp_act.shtml or by calling (877) 250-2333, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more National Preparedness Month tips, visit www.tn.gov/homelandsecurity, while information on state Emergency Management offices can be found online at TEMA’s website at www.tnema.org.