The St. Johns County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and Long-Term Recovery Organization (LTRO) reminds you that September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.
While the resources and information shared during National Preparedness Month and on Ready.gov can be used by anyone at any time to get prepared for whatever may come their way.
“The national Ready Campaign aims to ensure all of our friends and neighbors have the tools they need to prepare for disasters and build resilience before disaster strikes,” said LTRO Coordinator Gina Birmingham.
2024 Theme: “Start a Conversation”
Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.
Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:
- Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
- It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
- Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.
Previous Years
In 2021, FEMA’s Ready Campaign and the Ad Council broke ground by producing the first-ever national preparedness campaign specifically targeting the Latino community for National Preparedness Month. Released during Hispanic Heritage month, the advertisements centered around the Latino community’s commitment to personal planning for occasions and family milestones as a bridge to also planning for disasters.
In 2022, to continue these efforts, the National Preparedness Month campaign featured a call to action for the Black and African American community. The importance of preparing for disasters to create and protect a lasting legacy was highlighted.
The 2023 Ready Campaign focused on Older Adults. We know older adults can face greater risks when it comes to the multitude of extreme weather events and emergencies we now face, especially if they are living alone, are low-income, have a disability, or live in rural areas.
Founded in 2015, St. Johns County VOAD/LTRO has been at the forefront of disaster response in the community. They have grown to include 48 organizations, each bringing unique skills and resources to a collective effort. Membership is open to members of the community.
For more information visit www.ltrostjohns.org or call (904) 826-9459.
