COUNTY News:

A great publication to help you prepare yourself and your family for disasters is FEMA’s Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness (publication IS-22.)

Along with its sister DVD, “Getting Ready for Disaster,” both provide a step-by-step outline on how to prepare a disaster supply kit, emergency planning for people with disabilities, how to locate and evacuate to a shelter, and even contingency planning for family pets. Naturally occurring events as well as man-made threats from hazardous materials and terrorism are also covered in detail.

Are You Ready? is available in hard copy in the reference section at both Mesa and White Rock Public Libraries. Or call FEMA’s warehouse toll-free at 1-800-480-2520 to get your free, single copy of this Guide. The DVD is available at the same number, or view sections of it via the above link.

New Mexico’s homeland security officials have prepared a Family Emergency Preparedness Guide (link below). And, because of its prominent role in disaster relief, the American Red Cross has great resources to help you prepare for all kinds of emergencies. Visit here: Red Cross preparedness information.

The essentials of disaster preparedness can be found in the one-page pamphlet called 72-Hour Emergency Kit, linked below and published by the County OEM.

Don’t forget your pets and livestock! Your disaster plan must include your pets – shelters don’t allow them. Visit this FEMA site for more information: http://www.fema.gov/individual/animals.shtm