Nation's Emergency Physicians to Public: Have Plan, Just in Case

Prepare Now Before Disaster Strikes

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Disasters can strike quickly and without warning.  As part of National Preparedness Month, the nation's emergency physicians once again urge the public to have a plan in place and know when to execute it if and when the time comes.

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"Even though a tornado differs from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or terrorist attacks, many of the ways to prepare are the same," said Dr. Angela Gardner, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians.  "Preparing your family in advance is the best protection in an emergency."

National Preparedness Month (NPM) is held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.  NPM is sponsored by the Ready campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council.  Ready is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign that educates and empowers Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

In 2009, nearly 2,700 organizations joined the Ready campaign.  ACEP is proud to be a part of the 2010 campaign.

The public can join the preparedness effort at any time by following these steps:

• Get a Kit.  An emergency kit includes the basics for survival: fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth.  You should have enough supplies to survive for at least three days.  Emergency supply lists can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/checklist.pdf and also at ACEP's Foundation website at www.emergencycareforyou.org/disastersupplykit.
• Make a Plan.  Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family and decide how you will contact each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency.  Family emergency plan templates can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf and also at www.emergencycareforyou.org/makeaplan.
• Be Informed.  Check all types of media (websites, social media, TV, radio, newspapers, phones) for information.  During an emergency, your local emergency management office will give you information on such things as open shelters and evacuation orders, if needed.

For more information on the Ready campaign, please see www.ready.gov (English site) and/or www.listo.gov (Spanish site).

ACEP recommends that families identify what types of disasters are common in their region.  This information can be obtained from local emergency management offices or American Red Cross chapters.  

"No one should ever be guessing in a time of crisis," said Dr. Gardner.  "You may not be able to predict a disaster but you can at least start to prepare for one just in case."

For more information on what do to in the event of a disaster, please go to www.EmergencyCareForYou.org.

ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.  

SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians