September is Preparedness Month in North Carolina and Warren County Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents and businesses to be prepared for any disaster by reviewing their emergency plans and updating their emergency supply kits.

“We all need to be prepared for any event, whether it’s a manmade emergency or a weather event, and the best way to do that is to begin with an emergency plan and putting together a supply kit that will help you and your loved ones survive for three to seven days without assistance,” said Chris Tucker, County Emergency Manager. “If you have a family emergency plan and practice it, the chances of your family surviving a disaster increases exponentially, add an up-to-date emergency supply kit and your chances increase even more. Being flexible and able to respond quickly in an emergency is important and the best way to do that is to be prepared and practice your plan and have contingency so you can pivot if needed.”

Warren County Emergency Services encourages residents, schools and business owners to make an emergency plan and practice it routinely with other household members, staff or employees. The plan should include details about where to meet, how to get in touch with one another, evacuation plans, what to do with pets and how to notify employees after an emergency.

“It’s important to include a place to go in your plan should you need to evacuate, such as staying with family, friends or at a hotel; A shelter should be a plan of last resort,” Chris Tucker said. “Be sure to have weather-appropriate clothing in your emergency supply kit, and that everything is up to date, such as fresh batteries. Check to be sure any food is still good and include items needed for survival regardless of the emergency.”

Basic items that should be in an emergency kit are:

* Water – 1 gallon per person per day for 3 to 7 days
* Food – non-perishable and canned food supply for 3 to 7 days
* Hand sanitizer
* Sanitizing wipes
* Battery-powered or hand crank radio and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio with extra batteries
* Cell phone with charger
* First aid kit and first aid book
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* Manual can opener for food
* Wrench or pliers to turn off water
* Blanket or sleeping bag – 1 per person
* Prescription medications, glasses and hearing aids
* Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes
* Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine supplies
* Extra house and car keys
* Important documents – insurance policies, copy of driver’s license, Social Security card, bank account records
* Fire extinguisher
* Cash and change
* Books, games or cards

Code Red

CodeRED – Seconds Count in an Emergency
Warren County has instituted the CodeRED Emergency Notification System – an ultra-high-speed telephone communication service for emergency notifications. This system allows us to telephone all or targeted areas of the County in case of an emergency situation that requires immediate action (such as a boil-water notice, missing child or evacuation notices). The system is capable of dialing 60,000 phone numbers per hour. It then delivers our recorded message to a live person or an answering machine, making three attempts to connect to any number. Get Started.

This system will only be used for emergency purposes.

Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be utilized:

* Drinking water contamination
* Bomb threat
* Chemical spill or Gas leak
* Evacuation notices and route
* Fires or Floods
* Hostage situation
* Missing person
* Other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety
* Utility outage

For more emergency preparedness information, visit ReadyNC.gov.