FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290

State Assists Missourians in Preparing for Emergencies

Web Site Effective Method of Providing Information

JEFFERSON CITY–As families gather for the holiday season, Gov. Matt Blunt reminds Missourians this is a good time to discuss plans for emergency situations.

"With the holiday season and winter weather approaching, we remind families how important it is to have plans in place to deal with emergencies, both large and small," Blunt said. "This is a good time for families to sit down together to talk about how they will reach one another if they are separated during an emergency and gather the supplies that may be needed in the event of any emergency situation."

Blunt noted that following hurricanes Katrina and Rita many Missourians indicated they wanted to become better prepared.

During September and October the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Ready in 3 preparedness site received more than 10,000 hits as compared to 466 in August 2005. The hurricanes were a visual reminder that individual families need to be prepared and that people should not rely just on government.

Ready in 3 is available to help Missourians become prepared for emergency situations of all kinds - whether they occur at home, school, or work. Ready in 3 provides three simple steps to prepare for an emergency situation:

  1. Create a plan for you, your family, and your business. Your family might not be together when an emergency happens. That is why it is important to have a plan in place. Talk about how you will reach each other in different situations.

  2. Prepare a kit for home, car and work. If an emergency happens, you might not be able to get food or water for days or weeks, and your electricity may not be working. The following items should be part of your emergency kit and kept in a container that can be easily carried.

      3. Water and canned or dried food (at least three days worth)
      Battery-powered radio
      Flashlight
      Extra batteries for the radio and flashlight
      Prescription medicine
      First-aid kit

  3. Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an actual emergency. City, county, and state officials have developed emergency plans. During an emergency, it is important to follow their instructions and advice.

The Ready in 3 web site (www.dhss.mo.gov/Ready_in_3) explains these steps in more detail and offers free materials and tools that serve as excellent resources for Missourians interested in preparing their families for emergencies.

"Emergencies can change lives significantly. That’s why we are urging families, communities, businesses, and schools to take steps today to prepare for all types of emergencies," said Julie Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Eckstein noted the Ready in 3 program is part of the department’s ongoing effort to improve the state’s ability to respond to a public health emergency or biological, chemical, or nuclear event. The department is working with other state agencies, local public health agencies, schools, community groups, employers, and faith-based organizations to raise awareness across the state and ensure that we are all better prepared for an emergency.

"It only takes a half an hour to create a family emergency plan. A small amount of planning can save lives -- even during a big emergency. Ready in 3 gives families the information they need to be prepared," added Governor Matt Blunt.

To learn more about preparing for emergency situations of any kind, visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services web site at www.dhss.mo.gov and click the Ready in 3 logo.

For more information contact Nanci Gonder at the Department of Health and Senior Services at (573) 751-6062.


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