Worcester emergency guide now available
By Bob Lassahn

The Worcester County Department of Emergency Services formally presented their new “Family Emergency Preparedness Guide” to the commissioners during the April 18 meeting. The guide is self-described as providing helpful information to assist in preparing for emergencies and encourages residents to take appropriate steps, stressing that it may take up to three days for emergency providers to reach all areas of the county during a major disaster.

In addition to providing contact information and emergency communications procedures, the booklet outlines topics such as preparing your home, a checklist for supplies, developing a family emergency plan and special considerations. Various types of emergencies including weather-related events, terrorists attack and incidents involving hazardous materials are covered with specific recommendations. It also reviews considerations for “shelter-in-place” or evacuation decisions.

A tear-out page is provided where persons in the community with special needs may register their circumstances with a county database. In the event of an emergency specific departments and agencies would have the means to contact these persons and aid them in their preparations, but it does not imply a special response to the address provided. The form is provided in both English and Spanish.

Commissioner Judy Boggs stressed that getting the special needs database up and running is an imperative and stated her desire to see responses from those requiring inclusion by June 15, in anticipation of hurricane season. She questioned if clubs and organizations could obtain the booklet in quantity for distribution to their members and was assured that adequate supplies existed.

Commissioner Louise Gulyas commented that the booklets had been presented to the commission on aging during a meeting in Annapolis and have received rave reviews from many jurisdictions. She noted that the special needs portion should be completed even by those who may only face some temporary situation where they require assistance.

The “Family Emergency Preparedness Guide” is available through county offices and libraries, or may be downloaded from the Worcester County website (www.co.worcester.md.us/). The Ocean Pines Association is seeking to obtain a sufficient quantity for distribution at the administration building.

Send an Email Letter to Courier Editor - be sure to include your telephone number.