Safety Preparedness 101

As the federal government declares September "National Disaster Preparedness Month", we must ask, are you prepared?

     Last Thursday's power outage was quite the ordeal and while traffic may have seemed like the biggest nuisance, our major issues may have actually been waiting for us at home. With most businesses shut down, many of us found ourselves at home scrambling for food and safety supplies. To help protect yourself and your family, Rural/Metro highly recommends that everyone should have a personal 72-hour emergency supply kit. 

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

-       Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

-       Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

-       Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

-       Flashlight and extra batteries

-       First aid kit

-       Whistle to signal for help

-       Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

-       Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

-       Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

-       Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

-       Local maps

-       Cell phone with chargers

Some additional items to consider adding include prescription medication and glasses, infant formula and diapers, pet food and extra water for your pet, weather appropriate clothing, important documents, matches, and activities for children. 

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to realize the benefits of a good emergency preparedness kit. Begin gathering the items you will need and develop an emergency preparedness plan with all family members.

For more information about National Preparedness Month or for a more extensive list, visit: www.ready.gov

Snap Shot of the Week: Rural/Metro Remembers 9/11

     Sept. 11, 2001 was a day that has branded our generation and affected all of us, but it was especially poignant for emergency responders in NYC and around the country.

     As we approach the anniversary of 9/11 we remember and honor the firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who lost their lives during the attacks and also give thanks to the first responders who continue to risk their lives to protect their communities.

     Rural/Metro Ambulance was involved in the rescue efforts in NYC on 9/11; dispatching 28 ambulances and 85 paramedics and EMT's to ground zero. Our personnel worked around the clock to do whatever they could to help the injured, and for that, we thank you.

     Rural/Metro operations will be doing a nationwide tribute to honor 9/11 by doing a radio call-out over our ambulance dispatch communication system at the exact times that the towers fell, the plane hit the pentagon and Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.

     We want all our personnel as well as the nation to know we will never forget, and we will always honor our emergency responders for what they do every day. We know the rest of San Diego and the nation will be paying tribute to 9/11 in the coming days, so we encourage all to please say thanks if you see someone in uniform this week!

     To learn more about our 9/11 radio call-out, please visit:  http://www.ruralmetrosandiego.com/