In partnership with Community Emergency Response Teams and Wake County Public Libraries, the county hosted emergency kit-building events, where free kits were given away to help residents stay ahead of potential disasters - whether natural or manmade.
"Building a resilient and prepared community requires us to start at the individual level," said Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas. "By ensuring that all Wake County families have the knowledge and supplies they need to weather the storm, we make our entire region safer and stronger."
On Saturday, emergency officials handed out emergency kits at 18 libraries across the county, including Green Road Library in Raleigh. The effort aims to help families get a head start on preparing for hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, and other emergencies.
"The Atlantic is pretty active right now, and we're watching those storms very closely. So, it's always a good reminder to have people prepare," said Josh Creighton, Deputy Director of Fire Services and Emergency Management for Wake County.
Creighton and other staff were on hand, distributing kits and walking residents through the contents.
"There's a flashlight in here. There's a first aid kit, information about how to prepare, whatever else you may need as an individual. There's information on pets and how to keep them safe during emergencies, what you may need to bring to a shelter," Creighton said.
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Each kit serves as a foundation for a family emergency supply cache. Officials recommend customizing kits to fit individual needs - including extra batteries, medications, non-perishable food, and water for at least three days.
Librarian Susannah Bishop said she was encouraged to see folks taking an interest in the kits and highlighted the role libraries can play in community preparedness.
"For the county to use us as a public space to kind of push out things and be a good, good source or connection for the county," Bishop said.
While hurricanes dominate headlines this time of year, Creighton reminded residents that emergency preparedness isn't limited to natural disasters.
"There's not only natural hazards that our community faces, but there's also manmade events," he said. "We have a nuclear power plant. We have several hazardous materials facilities. There's transportation hazards out there all the time. So there's all sorts of things that people need to prepare for."
Wake County Emergency Management urges all residents to:
- Sign up for ReadyWake alerts, which provide real-time emergency notifications via text, phone or email.
- Build a home emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medicines, and supplies for pets.
- Create a family emergency plan and practice it regularly.
For more information on National Preparedness Month activities and safety planning resources, visit wake.gov or readywake.com.
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