TEMA Asks You to Be Ready

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness and in recognition of September 2016 as National Preparedness Month.
“This year, in Tennessee and across the nation, natural and human-caused disasters have taken lives, destroyed homes and damaged roads and infrastructure,” said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan.  “While we live in some of the safest times in history, these fires, storms, flash-floods, heatwaves, tornadoes, accidents, and active shooter tragedies serve as reminders of the importance of being aware of the potential threats around us and to prepare ourselves and our loved ones.”  
For National Preparedness Month, TEMA asks that you make sure you are ready for the next disaster.
Authorized alerting authorities can use WEA to send emergency text messages through mobile carriers.  WEA messages include a special tone and vibration, repeated twice, to alert callers.  The message also will display the type and time of the alert.  More information on WEA is available at www.fema.gov/frequently-asked-questions-wireless-emergency-alerts
Prepare for Emergencies
National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and places of worship.
The first step in emergency preparedness is to create a written emergency plan for you and your family.  Basic emergency plans include information such as:
The evacuation procedure for your home, in case of fire or flood, so everyone will know which exits to take during a home emergency;
· How family members should contact each other if they are separated in a disaster;
· Where family members should meet after evacuating their home, or if your neighborhood is being evacuated; and,
· The important contact phone numbers for work locations, medical providers, and insurance carriers.
Also, check the emergency plans and preparations for places where you and your family spend time such as schools, day cares, sports facilities, and faith organizations.  It is also important to have an emergency kit in every automobile your family uses.
Finally, make sure you exercise your plans with your family.  Practice a family fire drill or try out your communication plan on a day when you know family members will be separated.