County stresses preparedness in face of an emergency

Sep. 14--"Be prepared, not scared," according to Allen Clark, Crawford County's deputy director for emergency management.

That's what public safety officials like Clark want to emphasize in the event of an emergency -- whether it's natural or manmade.

"Hope is not a plan," said Clark, who oversees emergency management operations for the Crawford County Department of Public Safety.

September is designated National Preparedness Month with 2019's theme of "Prepared, Not Scared."

Most often the biggest threats facing Crawford County are severe thunderstorms or tornadoes and not necessarily in the spring or summer -- the most recent tornadoes that struck were Oct. 2, 2018, and Nov. 5, 2017.

Crawford County also periodically has flooding either from winter ice and snow melt or heavy rainstorms, Clark said.

Be prepared

For what to stock in an emergency kit, developing emergency plans and other emergency information, visit one of these websites:

--ready.gov (U.S. government)

--ready.pa.gov (Pennsylvania government)

--redcross.org (American Red Cross)

"Each season has its own disasters," he said. "Weather we can't control, but we can control how we respond to how that emergency affects us."

It's a good idea to have an emergency kit that's watertight with enough food, water and other supplies for each person to last at least three days if not even longer -- like one to two weeks, Clark said. The kit also may need supplies for special needs -- such as baby items like formula and diapers or items for older adults, depending on the family's situation.

"First responders will help after a disaster strikes, but they may not be able to reach everyone right away," Clark said.

The emergency kit needs to include at least one gallon of water per day per person, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, flashlight and batteries, a manual can opener, a battery operated radio with weather alert and other basic items, Clark said.

"Ready.gov, Ready.Pa.gov and redcross.org are great resources for what you need," Clark said of what to stock in an emergency kit.

The items in the kit should be checked quarterly for expiration dates with items used but replaced as needed, he said.

Clark recommends the kit have some cash and coins in it to make any necessary purchase since a disaster may knock out electrical power and internet services as well.

"Often we have power outages and internet outages with storms so a lot of operations like ATMs or operating gasoline pumps could come to a standstill," Clark said.

Clark recommends important documents be copied and kept in a secure firesafe box or a safety deposit box at a bank.

Insurance policies, too, should be reviewed and copied as well to know what types of disasters and damages are covered, Clark said.

"You want to know what they'll pay and not pay for in the event of a disaster," he said.

Gregg Gordon, an agent and owner of Bush Insurance Group of Cambridge Springs, recommends policy reviews as well.

"You want to review policies about every two or three years," Gordon said. "You also want to have valuation on your home for the replacement cost."

Gordon said policies need to be reviewed because a family's circumstances change over time and things may physically happen to a home such as an addition or a remodel.

"A good insurance agency will send out fliers or reminders periodically to remind its clients to review their policies," he said.

Clark recommends a family's emergency kit be stored in an area within the home where you would go for safety in the event of an emergency.

It's also a good idea to have an emergency kit in each vehicle because a person could become stranded while away from home, he said.

Assembling an emergency kit doesn't have to be a daunting task -- either in time or money -- as long as it gets done, Clark said.

"You can do it over time," he said. "Anything is better than nothing. When you go to the store to buy a toothbrush, buy two and put one in the kit."

Clark said it's just knowing what disasters are possible, having a plan if an emergency occurs and practicing the plan.

"The situation is frightening for everyone, but it's individuals, it's families and it's communities just being prepared at home, at work, at businesses, at schools and at places of worship," he said. "If all the residents in Crawford County would be prepared, it would lessen any impact."

Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at [email protected].

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