National Preparedness Month: Ready for the Worst

Although Howard County is often touted in the state, neither money nor degrees are any match for natural disasters.

Residents have lost power, property and even their lives from natural disasters including the , and .

And we do occastionally deal with non-natural disasters, such as the fatal train derailment in Ellicott City.

It is in regard for such incidents that Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced September as "National Preparedness Month" for the county, following the Federal Emergency Management Agency's national initiative.

"These disasters show us how important it is to take some simple steps now and prepare for emergencies before they strike," Ulman said in a press release.

As part of preparing residents for disaster, the county will host four disaster preparation classes in Columbia, as well as two CPR classes taught by members of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Howard County residents can sign up for emergency notifications via email or text message by registering at NotifyMeHoward.org or by texting HOWARD to 411911. residents can register for classes and find out more information at the Howard County Government website.

Howard County also offers these tips for preparing a response in emergencies:

• Create an emergency plan
• Assemble an emergency supply kit with enough supplies to last three days
• If you have a kit already, check expiration dates and update supplies
• If you have a pet, include how to make provisions for them as part of your plan
• If you haven’t done it already, sign up for NotifyMeHoward and receive timely emergency notifications sent directly to your cell phone or email address

For more news on disasters in Howard County, follow these links:

Ellicott City Train Derailment

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