If an emergency happened right this minute, how would you fare? Think about how much you depend on the ability to travel and communicate … a place to lay your head, and an ever-present supply of electricity, water, food, and heat. What if–due to circumstances beyond your control–any one or two of those were lost? What if they all were?

 

Most threats come from natural/weather related events. Depending on where you live, earthquakes, hurricanes, ice storms, flooding, or tornadoes can play a major role in people´s lives and plans. And as our society has become extremely transient, moving across the nation for work or vacation we need to be more aware of the weather events that may not be so common here in Bridgeport but are high risk events to the communities in which we visit.  Everyone is susceptible to fires, power outages, economic changes or disruptions–and often on a very personal level: job loss, divorce, or physical disability due to accident or illness all too often turns the lives of individuals and families upside down.  By making the necessary preparations, you can have the confidence of knowing you and your family will have their needs met in an emergency, whether it is an economic, man-made, or natural disaster.

 

It´s easy to say to yourself, "It won´t happen to me." But there´s no way to predict what will happen when or where. Consider the following statement by Richard Gist, psychologist for the Kansas City Fire Department:

 

"Do not put off the improbable for the unthinkable. […] If there is a one in a million chance of something happening to you then it is happening to 300 people in this country right now."

 

The bottom line is: unfortunate things happen all the time–and you are the first and best defense for caring for yourself and your family.

 

In order to aid you on this journey to personal preparedness, the Bridgeport Department of Emergency Services is holding monthly “Emergency Reach Out” events … learn about emergency preparedness and connect with your community.  What would you do if there was as natural disaster or emergency?  Would you be prepared?  What about your family, friends and neighbors?  Our team of leaders and expert will provide you with the emergency preparedness know-how and tools to get you and your loved ones ready for the “just in case”. 

 

Come each month and learn preparedness tips, safety guidelines and about our new neighborhood preparedness program – Bridgeport’s Project CARE [Community Awareness & Readiness for Emergencies] … meet your local police officers, firemen and EMTs/paramedics … and for the first 30 attendees receive a FREE item to build your Disaster Supply Kit [one per family depending on item, first come – first serve]. 

 

Our next Emergency Reach Out is Tuesday, April 16^th beginning at 6:45PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 515 W Main Street.  Our theme is Severe Storms/Flooding and Water Contamination/Resiliency.  Our guest speakers are Jason Parrish, WBOY-TV and the Harrison County Health Department.