HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-08-2011 - 4bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 8, 2011
Action Age~nda~-
Item No.
SUBJECT• Orange County Preparedness Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Health
Emergency Services
PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dorothy Cilenti, Interim Health Director,
245-2411
Frank Montes de Oca, Emergency
Services Director, 245-6100
PURPOSE: To proclaim September 2011 as Orange County Preparedness Month.
BACKGROUND: Each year, September is proclaimed as National Preparedness Month by the
President of the United States. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and partner
agencies use the month of September to promote emergency planning for individuals, families,
and businesses using the message "Make a Kit. Make a Plan. Get Informed". Local agencies
are encouraged to use this message and sponsor activities to bring awareness to emergency
preparedness.
The Orange County Health Department, in partnership with Orange County Emergency
Services, will implement a series of activities in September to help increase the number of
residents who have an emergency preparedness plan and 72-hour disaster supply kit in place.
Staff considers an Orange County Preparedness Month proclamation as an initial step in
communicating the importance of household emergency planning to the public.
The Orange County Health Department and Orange County Emergency Services ask the Board
of Commissioners to join them in recognizing the need to increase emergency preparedness
levels in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Activities are planned as part of the normal budget process and incur no
additional funds outside of the approved budget.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 2011 AS
ORANGE COUNTY PREPAREDNESS MONTH
WHEREAS, the month of September is recognized nationally as Preparedness Month by the
President of the United States and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to raise awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, Healthy Carolinians of Orange County's 2011 Community Health Assessment
revealed that only 49% of residents surveyed had a basic emergency supply kit
and only 31 % of those with a kit had supplies for one to three days; and
WHEREAS, most Community Health Assessment survey respondents either felt that there
was little need for an emergency supply kit or that they could grab essential
items from around the house when needed; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina experienced the largest tornado outbreak in state
history in April 2011, which resulted in multiple deaths (24 total) and reportable
injuries (133 total); structure damage; power outages; and approval of over $20
million in federal disaster assistance for homeowners and renters; and
WHEREAS, the month of September has traditionally been a period of high hurricane and
tropical storm activity for the State of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has a strong emergency response system that includes
emergency services, public health, social services, fire, technical rescue, law
enforcement, UNC Health Care, The American Red Cross, animal protection,
and resident volunteer groups; and
WHEREAS, multiple agencies within Orange County partner to educate the general public,
businesses, faith-based communities, and community-based organizations about
the importance of emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, multiple agencies within Orange County work in partnership and individually to
respond to and recover from local emergencies; and
WHEREAS, proclaiming September as Orange County Preparedness Month will bring more
attention to the need for individual and family preparedness among Orange
County residents, and information provided during the month of September
about emergency preparedness will be beneficial throughout the year;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it recognized that the Orange County Board of Commissioners do
hereby proclaim September 2011 as Orange County Preparedness Month.
This the 8th day of September 2011.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners