TO: The Arlington Community

FROM: Debbie Powers, Deputy Coordinator, OEM



September is Preparedness Month and because being prepared is so important, the week of September 23 through September 29, 2012, is “Community Preparedness Week”. The Arlington Office of Emergency Management and the Emergency Preparedness Advisory Commission are encouraging everyone’s participation. Participation will be easy and fun!



To get everyone started, attached is a “Save the Date” flyer we hope you will distribute to your respective organizations and neighbors with information about this week. We will be tracking the level of participation and if you have other ways to participate, we want to hear from you!!



Some things to think about… Organizations, how well prepared are your members? How could your group participate in the week? Are there preparedness activities your organization would like to focus on? Individuals, is your family prepared to shelter in your home during an extended power outage for example? Do you have a family emergency plan? Do you know how to get information in an emergency?



There are many ways individuals and organizations may participate during the week. There will also be a community exercise/community forum that will be held on September 27th, 7 – 9 pm, Arlington Career Center. Opportunities will be offered on line as well as in person. Some ways you or your organization can participate include:



Be Informed: Know How to get Information in an Emergency



Sign up for Arlington Alert at www.arlingtonalert.com

Download the mobile preparedness app on your smart phone – “Arlington Prepares”

Tune to 1700 AM for important emergency information 24/7



Make a Plan



Make a family preparedness plan.

Have a preparedness video contest among your neighbors

Practice evacuation and sheltering in place at home and your meetings

Put together your “go kits/emergency bags”

Canvas your neighbors who may need help during an emergency and help with their plans

Request a preparedness program for your neighborhood or your organization

Read the September Citizen for more information on preparedness activities



Get Involved



Learn more about emergency preparedness volunteer opportunities www.arlingtonva.us/oem

Participate in the community exercise/forum September 27th, 7:00 pm, Arlington Career Center

Take Shelter in Place Training – September 6th, 7 – 9 pm, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Rooms C & D.

Participate in the Great American Shakeout – Earthquake Drill October 18



Give us Feedback/Evaluate -- Please let us know what you did this week.



There will be a very short survey via survey monkey on the website

Call to record your preparedness activities at 703-228-3000

You may reply on Facebook-- Ready Arlington @ReadyArlington or Twitter #PrepareARL;



If you have questions, would like to schedule a preparedness program, or would like more information, please contact Debbie Powers 703-228-3314; dpowers@arlingtonva.us. We look forward to your participation during Arlington’s Community Preparedness Week!





Debbie Powers, Deputy Coordinator, OEM

1400 N. Uhle Street, Suite 300

Arlington, Virginia 22201

703-228-3314

Fax 703-228-3667

dpowers@arlingtonva.us

Sign up for free emergency alerts at Arlingtonalert.com

Pre-set radios to 1700 AM for Arlington emergency information

We have an app for that! Arlington Prepares for Android and IPhone