Dear Bristol Community:
September is National Preparedness Month. We should all take a few minutes and determine whether we are prepared for any weather or other local emergency should one occur. We are all watching the impact of the torrential rains and subsequent flooding that has affected the Baton Rouge, La. area. Dozens of people have lost their lives and over 60,000 homes have been damaged. While cleanup efforts are underway, I ask you this question: Are you prepared for a similar event? Do you have a family communications plan, a family evacuation plan, and a checklist of what you would need to have at home should you be subjected to a prolonged power outage or need to be evacuated? What about your children, your pets, the elderly living with you or people with functional needs? Everyone has special requirements during those times. Take a moment and think about your situation.
As part of National Preparedness Month, the Bristol Emergency Management Department will be giving preparedness lectures to the residents at the local BHA housing projects. We will prepare them for emergencies, tell how to make a checklist and remind them of safety procedures.
So if you answered no to any of my questions above, please contact me (or a CERT member) to get the proper information. We can schedule an emergency preparedness talk with your PTO, church or civic group. Don’t wait until the last minute. It may be too late by then.
Schools open soon, watch out for the children at the bus stops and remember to stop for school busses with those flashing red lights.
Harley Graime
EMD
Bristol