Red Cross urges emergency planning

STATEWIDE — It’s National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross of Maine is encouraging all households to create a family disaster plan to make sure they are ready for the next emergency or disaster.

Plans should include designating a meeting place right outside the home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire. They should also include an out-of-area emergency contact person as well as a location where everyone should meet if they can't go home.

All members of the household should work together on the emergency plan and each person should know how to reach other family members.

The nature of disasters is that they can strike at any time. “Having a plan is well worth the effort when you think of the consequences of being caught off-guard,” said Morgan Bickerstaff, chair of the American Red Cross of Maine Disaster Consortium. “In every case, preparation shortens the amount of time it takes for a family to recover after a disaster.”

Red Cross tools make it easier for people to make or update plans. The American Red Cross Hurricane App for iPhone or Android smart phones helps people create a plan, share it with household members and over social networks. In addition, a template and instructions to build a plan are available at redcross.org/npm.

Throughout the month, be sure check in frequently on www.maineredcross.org as well as their Facebook page and Twitter feed for more about the tips and tools the Red Cross has available to help those who live, work, and play in Maine prepare for a disaster.

Other Ways to Get Ready

The Red Cross has several programs to help people, businesses, schools and communities be better prepared.

• Be Red Cross Ready is an on-line tutorial that teaches people to be ready for emergencies.

Red Cross Ready Rating™ is a free, web-based membership program that measures how ready businesses, organizations and schools are to deal with emergencies and helps them improve their readiness level.

•  The Ready When the Time Comes program trains employees from businesses so they can be used as a community-based volunteer force when disaster strikes.

•  Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED training courses provide participants with the knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies in case advanced medical help is delayed.

• People can visit redcross.org for information on what to do before, during and after emergencies and disasters.