DOH Leon Recognizes National Preparedness Month in September 

DOH Leon Observes National Preparedness Month

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) joins local, state, and federal emergency response partners in observing National Preparedness Month.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September as National Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. In Leon County and across the nation, this year’s campaign centers on the importance of planning with the theme “A Lasting Legacy: Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.”

“We encourage everyone to be proactive; there are many actions that people can take to increase their readiness,” said Brandi Knight, MPH, DOH Leon Health Administrator. “Taking steps such as signing up for local alerts on your smartphone, safeguarding and documenting your valuables and important papers, developing an emergency communication and evacuation plan, and creating an emergency supply kit can go a long way in preparing for any situation.”

Some items you may want to include in your emergency supply kit are:

• Water (at least one gallon a day per person);
• Non-perishable packaged or canned food (enough for at least 3 to 7 days);
• Any necessary medication (enough for two weeks);
• Written instructions for care and medication (including medication dosages, a list of medical devices you use and a list of your doctors);
• First aid kit;
• Flashlights with extra batteries;
• Pet care items (including any pet medications); and
• Other important documents (stored in a waterproof container).

DOH Leon supports all emergency preparation efforts by our key partners at Leon County Government. “We work year-round with local, state and federal partners to prepare our community for disasters,” said Kevin Peters, Leon County Director of Emergency Management. “But it’s important for families to have a plan too. Individuals can get prepared by planning, building a disaster supply bucket, and staying informed by signing up to receive Leon County Emergency Alerts.” 

To help Leon County citizens be prepared for disasters, the County released the 2022 Disaster Survival Guide and launched the Leon Ready webpage, a hub of resources to help individuals, their family, and their neighborhood prepare for disasters. Pick up a copy of the Disaster Survival Guide at your nearest Leon County Public Library location.

Additionally, The Florida Division of Emergency Management has resources for helping you and your family stay prepared for a disaster: Get a Plan!

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