September is Disaster Preparedness Month

Boundary County Emergency Management Director Dave Kramer would like to remind everyone in Boundary County that proper planning can minimize the impact when disaster strikes as September is Disaster Preparedness Month.

Boundary County has had its share of natural disasters, from severe winter storms to mudslides, and no area of the county is immune.

 To help people prepare, the Citizen Corps Council of North Idaho has developed several pamphlets giving tips on preparing for winter storms, creating a family disaster plan, how to stockpile the supplies you'll need in the event of disaster and more.

The 13-steps to disaster preparedness flier is a ready reference to remind you of the things you need to consider.

 It covers everything from food and water storage should your home get snowed in or isolated, to alternate means of obtaining heat and light. It also includes tips on providing for medical care in the event of disaster, communicating when the power goes out, keeping you and your family as warm and comfortable as possible in adverse situations, maintaining proper sanitation, maintaining your financial needs during an emergency, even how to prepare not only for yourself but for your neighbors as well.

The Citizen Corps Council of North Idaho is an award-winning group of emergency management specialists from the five northern counties, including Boundary County and the Kootenai Tribe, who's goal is to educating the public on emergency planning and working to ensure that when disaster does strike, the adverse impacts are minimized to the greatest extent possible.

You can learn more about the Citizen Corps Council by visiting www.ready.gov, or you can call 255-6073 for Boundary County or 267-3519 for the Kootenai Tribe.