Inaugural Emergency Preparedness Fair in San Martin will help community members learn more about resources available during a disaster
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – Community Preparedness Month returns to Santa Clara County this September. The continuing and emerging public health crises, wildfires and severe weather patterns are stark reminders that now is the time to be emergency and disaster ready.
This month, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will host the inaugural Emergency Preparedness Fair to provide community members with direct access to partner organizations that provide emergency resources and services in the event of a major disaster. The public and members of the media are invited to attend on Saturday, September 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at County of Santa Clara Animal Services, 12425 Monterey Rd, San Martin, CA 95046.
OEM will be joined by 11 partner agencies, including the American Red Cross, City of Gilroy, City of Morgan Hill, Collaborating Agencies Disaster Relieve Effort (CADRE), Community Health Partnerships, County of Santa Clara Animal Services, San Martin Homeowners Alliance, South County Fire / Cal Fire and Valley Water.
This year, OEM highlights the role emergency preparedness plays in building A Lasting Legacy for community members and their families. It takes the commitment of the entire community – including government agencies, first responders, and residents – to work together in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from a major emergency or disaster.
OEM encourages community members to Prepare in 4 Steps and start building a lasting legacy by:
- Sign Up For AlertSCC at www.AlertSCC.org. AlertSCC is the County of Santa Clara’s official emergency alert and warning system. Alerts are sent directly to your mobile device, landline, and/or email. You control how you want to receive alerts and designate the order you wish to be notified, whether it’s your mobile device first, email second, or landline third. Opt-out at any time.
- Make A Plan. Planning is critical to ensuring you can evacuate quickly and safely, no matter the circumstances. Always map out several routes in opposite directions with clearly identified safe meet up locations, with marked emergency resources and services along the route. Talk to your family about how you will receive information and stay connected. Designate an out-of-area contact so your family can report their safety status if you become separated.
- Build an Emergency Supply Kit. Pack a Go Bag – an emergency supply kit ready to go when you need to evacuation. Build a Stay Kit – an emergency supply kit for when you are required to shelter in place.
- Help Your Family, Friends, and Neighbors. Host a neighborhood emergency planning meeting and discuss evacuation routes, identify which neighbors may need additional support during an emergency or disaster, and create a contact list of allied services and resources to share with the community.
For more emergency preparedness and disaster readiness information, please visit www.PrepareSCC.org. Protect your legacy today.
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About the Office of Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) engages the whole community in assessing needs and developing strategies to achieve stronger preparedness, prevention, response, and mitigation capabilities within the Santa Clara County Operational Area. We are committed to safeguarding lives, property, and the environment during the preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of emergency management. OEM is directly responsible for supporting first responders including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical services in emergencies and disasters.
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Media Contacts:
Kia Xiong, Emergency & Risk Communications Officer, (408) 808-7838
Charles Harris, Communications Officer, (408) 808-7836