Ready South Texas, an emergency preparedness public outreach project launched by Bexar County, Comal County, and the city of San Antonio, has been recognized by the state as a “Model Preparedness Campaign.”
The Office of the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management lauded the tri-agency effort for its proactive approach to emergency preparedness.
“Although we hope we never have to respond to an act of terrorism, it is our responsibility to ensure that the citizens are prepared to respond,” said Comal County Judge Danny Scheel. “We need to plan and prepare for all hazards and be ready to respond to any type of disaster which may affect our communities.”
Scheel, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, and San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza launched the campaign – an extension of the national preparedness campaign Ready America – in April. The effort was made possible through the FY04 San Antonio Urban Area Security Initiative Grant, made available by the Department of Homeland Security through the Office of Domestic Preparedness.
“The coordination between our governments ensures that our region will be well prepared for anything that comes our way,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.
“Ready South Texas is about planning,” Wolff said. “The program encourages families to make a plan should an emergency occur – where to go, who to call and what to do. It’s about safeguarding our homes and businesses,” he added.
Components of the Ready South Texas program include:
Coordinated emergency preparedness Web site: www.readysouthtexas.gov.
Brochures and pamphlets: Includes educational information regarding emergency alert systems, the significance of emergency preparedness plans for families and businesses, as well as emergency numbers. The information is free and is available at all areas of customer service throughout the county for citizens to take home. Ready South Texas pamphlets have a magnetic backing and can be hung on the fridge for easy access. The pamphlet describes how to shelter in place, evacuate, how to prepare a supply kit, and how to respond to certain chemicals or bio agents.
All Hazard Emergency Alert NOAA radios: Emergency management officials encourage every home and business to acquire an All Hazard Emergency Alert NOAA radio in order to receive civil emergency and weather alerts.
Demonstration videos: Emergency preparedness videos are available on the topics of shelter-in-place, evacuations, emergency supply kit needs and emergency alert systems.
Children’s Activity Book and “Tex” the Shelter-In-Place Turtle: Educational emergency preparedness activity books for children are available for parents and educators.
Special needs component: The program will include working with organizations that represent people in the tri-agency area to assess the emergency needs of people with disabilities.
Emergency preparedness activity: September is National Preparedness month and Ready South Texas will conduct “Practice the Plan” month. Emergency Management officials will encourage residents in the tri-agency area to practice emergency preparedness plans.
“Through the knowledge provided by the Ready South Texas public outreach program, citizens will be prepared to respond to hazards they may face,” Scheel said. They will also learn where to access valuable information during a critical time so an informed decision can be mad which may affect their family.
Julie Anderson, Editor