NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Donna Simmons September 7, 2021
Communications and
Economic Development Coordinator
469-826-9595 (c)
Donna.simmons@kaufmancounty.net
Commissioners’ Court Recognizes National Preparedness Month
Kaufman County, TX - September is National Preparedness Month and Kaufman County encourages all residents to be ready! The Commissioners’ Court passed a resolution today encouraging families to be ready for any and all disasters.
“This process starts at home,” said Steve Howie, Emergency Management Coordinator. “Everyone in the family can be part of helping to prepare for emergencies including young children and teens. As a parent, or other family member, you have an important role to play in preparing kids in case disaster strikes.”
Below are some tips to follow for each week of this preparedness month. Please see the Kaufman County Commissioners’ Court Resolution HERE.
Week 1, Sept. 1-4: Make a Plan
• Start by making a plan before disasters and emergencies strike. www.ready.gov/plan
• Discuss with your household or family how you will communicate if there is an emergency.
• Decide and practice your emergency plan with members of your household.
• Houses, mobile homes, apartments, and high-rise buildings have different evacuation considerations. Make a plan for each: www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations
• Involve your entire family, including your children, in planning for disasters and emergencies so they are prepared, not afraid www.ready.gov/plan
Week 2, Sept. 5-11: Build a Kit
• Create or update your emergency supplies with this list: www.ready.gov/kit
• Make sure your emergency kit is ready to go in case you need evacuate. Include:
• Enough food and water to last several days.
• Medication, face masks and disinfectant for everyone in your household.
• Pet supplies.
• When building a kit, people with disabilities should consider the items they use daily, as well as life-sustaining items. www.ready.gov/disability
- more -
• Have medication for at least three days in your emergency supplies.
• Check the expiration date on your emergency supplies and replace any old items.
• Involve kids in building their own emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit
• Kids bored? Check out the online Ready Kids Build A Kit game @
www.ready.gov/kids/games
• Include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books, or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.
Week 3, Sept. 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
• Download or order your free preparedness products to help your family plan and prepare for the next emergency. www.ready.gov/publications
• Practice emergency drills with your family regularly.
• Emergencies can happen anytime, and less than half of American families have a communication plan. Plan ahead @ www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan
• Make preparing fun for kids! Go on a scavenger hunt around your house for items you already must add to your disaster supply kit. Follow this list: www.ready.gov/kit and see how many items you can check off!
• Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed.
Week 4, Sept. 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness
• Review your family emergency communications plan with kids often.
• Kids, parents, & educators, visit the Ready Kids web pages in Spanish: www.ready.gov/es/ninos
• Need tips for talking to your kids about natural disasters? Visit www.ready.gov/kids/parents
• Become familiar with your child’s school evacuation & reunification plans in case you need to go pick them up.
• Kids can become Disaster Masters with this @Readygov preparedness game @
www.ready.gov/kids/games
For more information or help on creating your family’s Disaster Preparedness Plan, please contact Steve Howie, Kaufman County Emergency Management Coordinator, at steve.howie@kaufmancounty.net.
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Donna Simmons September 7, 2021
Communications and
Economic Development Coordinator
469-826-9595 (c)
Donna.simmons@kaufmancounty.net
Commissioners’ Court Recognizes National Preparedness Month
Kaufman County, TX - September is National Preparedness Month and Kaufman County encourages all residents to be ready! The Commissioners’ Court passed a resolution today encouraging families to be ready for any and all disasters.
“This process starts at home,” said Steve Howie, Emergency Management Coordinator. “Everyone in the family can be part of helping to prepare for emergencies including young children and teens. As a parent, or other family member, you have an important role to play in preparing kids in case disaster strikes.”
Below are some tips to follow for each week of this preparedness month. Please see the Kaufman County Commissioners’ Court Resolution HERE.
Week 1, Sept. 1-4: Make a Plan
• Start by making a plan before disasters and emergencies strike. www.ready.gov/plan
• Discuss with your household or family how you will communicate if there is an emergency.
• Decide and practice your emergency plan with members of your household.
• Houses, mobile homes, apartments, and high-rise buildings have different evacuation considerations. Make a plan for each: www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations
• Involve your entire family, including your children, in planning for disasters and emergencies so they are prepared, not afraid www.ready.gov/plan
Week 2, Sept. 5-11: Build a Kit
• Create or update your emergency supplies with this list: www.ready.gov/kit
• Make sure your emergency kit is ready to go in case you need evacuate. Include:
• Enough food and water to last several days.
• Medication, face masks and disinfectant for everyone in your household.
• Pet supplies.
• When building a kit, people with disabilities should consider the items they use daily, as well as life-sustaining items. www.ready.gov/disability
- more -
• Have medication for at least three days in your emergency supplies.
• Check the expiration date on your emergency supplies and replace any old items.
• Involve kids in building their own emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit
• Kids bored? Check out the online Ready Kids Build A Kit game @
www.ready.gov/kids/games
• Include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books, or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.
Week 3, Sept. 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
• Download or order your free preparedness products to help your family plan and prepare for the next emergency. www.ready.gov/publications
• Practice emergency drills with your family regularly.
• Emergencies can happen anytime, and less than half of American families have a communication plan. Plan ahead @ www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan
• Make preparing fun for kids! Go on a scavenger hunt around your house for items you already must add to your disaster supply kit. Follow this list: www.ready.gov/kit and see how many items you can check off!
• Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed.
Week 4, Sept. 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness
• Review your family emergency communications plan with kids often.
• Kids, parents, & educators, visit the Ready Kids web pages in Spanish: www.ready.gov/es/ninos
• Need tips for talking to your kids about natural disasters? Visit www.ready.gov/kids/parents
• Become familiar with your child’s school evacuation & reunification plans in case you need to go pick them up.
• Kids can become Disaster Masters with this @Readygov preparedness game @
www.ready.gov/kids/games
For more information or help on creating your family’s Disaster Preparedness Plan, please contact Steve Howie, Kaufman County Emergency Management Coordinator, at steve.howie@kaufmancounty.net.