Governor Pence Proclaims September Preparedness Month

Last updated on Monday, August 31, 2015

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana Governor Mike Pence has declared September Preparedness Month in the state, urging Hoosiers to develop plans for coping with natural or man-made disasters and emergencies.

The governor's proclamation calls on the state's citizens to create disaster preparedness kits in case emergency supplies are needed during times of evacuations or prolonged power outages. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) encourages Hoosiers to make and practice escape routes.

"Hoosiers need to be aware of all the possible disasters that could occur in their area," said John Erickson, director of public information for IDHS. "Severe weather can happen any time of the year, and September is a great month to plan ahead for any future emergencies."

Threats of tornadoes, earthquakes, severe thunderstorms, flooding and snow storms are common in Indiana.

Here are some tips for Hoosiers to follow during Preparedness Month:

Prepare and practice a home communications plan. Designate an out-of-state contact so family and friends know who to call if local communications are not operating. Sometimes after a disaster communication to surrounding areas can be cut off or overwhelmed, but long-distance communication may still work.
Parents should know their children's school emergency plan and how to react if the plan is activated.
Know employers' emergency plan in the event an emergency happens at work.

National Preparedness Month efforts are led every September by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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