Disaster preparedness works. It helps us protect our families and neighbors, and deal with the chaos of disaster.  It also helps us mitigate disasters which is to reduce their effects or avoid them altogether.

After you've read through this literature, I suggest you call your local emergency management office to learn about the hazards in your community.  I'm sure the staff will be happy to assist you, so that you can be ready the next time disaster strikes.

Thank You,
Patty Levengood, Director
Tuscarawas County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

Why Prepare For A Disaster

Everyday, millions of people wake up, go to work, take kids to school, farm their land or go to ball games.  But every so often the unexpected happens: an earthquake a fire, a chemical spill or some other emergency.  Routines change  drastically, and people are suddenly aware of how fragile their lives can be.  Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year.  And each disaster has lasting effects-people are seriously injured, sometimes killed, and property damages runs into the billions of dollars.

If a Disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster- relief organizations will try to help you.  Families and individuals who prepare can reduce their fear, anxiety and losses that surround disaster.

They can know what to do in a fire and where to seek shelter in a tornado. They can be ready to evacuate their homes, make their stays in public shelters and know how to care for their basic medical needs.

People can also reduce the impact of disaster (flood proofing or elevating a home, securing items that could shake loose in an earthquake) and sometimes avoid the danger altogether.

You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area-hurricanes, earthquakes, lightning, extreme cold or flooding.  You should also be ready to be self- sufficient for at least three days.

This might mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation.

The information provided on this web site is designed to help you become better prepared to deal with disasters.  It contains step-by-step advice on how to prepare for and how to respond to disasters.

While we have focused on the physical hazards of disasters, there are also the emotional effects of losing a home, treasured possessions or a loved one.  When under stress people can become irritable, fatigued, hyperactive, angry and withdrawn.  Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to disasters psychological effects.  You may need to seek professional help to take care of the emotional consequences of a disaster.

Share this information with your family.  Include everyone in the planning process.  Teach children how to respond to emergencies. Give them a sense of what to expect.  Preparing does not have to be a scary experience.