HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-15-2015 - 4c 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 15, 2015
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-c
SUBJECT: Proclamation of September 2015 as National Preparedness Month
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation — National Preparedness Jim Groves, Emergency Services
Month Director, 245-6140
Kirby Saunders, Emergency
Management Coordinator, 245-6135
Josh Hollingsworth, Emergency
Management Planner
PURPOSE: To proclaim September 2015 as National Preparedness Month.
BACKGROUND: Each year since 2004, the month of September has been deemed as
National Preparedness Month. This month was chosen due to the tragedies that befell the
nation on September 11, 2001. Additionally, August and September are considered the peak of
the Atlantic Hurricane Season for North Carolina.
The grassroots preparedness campaign, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, encourages residents and businesses nationwide to take actions to increase
preparedness and resiliency in their communities. National Preparedness Month consists of
weekly, special-focus activities that lead up to National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30tH
Emergency Services promotes these activities within Orange County through speaking
engagements, social media, community training, and other activities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no direct financial impacts associated with the resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Outreach activities such as speaking engagements, actively utilizing social media, and
community training and preparedness will enable the residents of Orange County to live safely
and be better prepared for emergencies and disasters, should they strike.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize
the Chair to sign the attached proclamation declaring September 2015 as National
Preparedness Month.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
2015
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated September as National
Preparedness Month across America; and
WHEREAS, National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness on the
importance of emergency preparedness and to encourage all people to better prepare their homes
and communities for all hazards; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Ready Campaign, Citizen Corps,
and other federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, private, and volunteer agencies are working to
increase public activities in preparing for emergencies and to educate individuals on how to take
action; and
WHEREAS, emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every person in Orange County,
and all people are urged to make preparedness a priority and work together, as a team, to ensure
that individuals, families, and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of any
type; and
WHEREAS, all people in Orange County are encouraged to participate in citizen preparedness
activities and asked to visit the websites of the Ready campaign at Ready.gov or Listo.gov (in
Spanish) and become more prepared for emergencies and disasters;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim
September 2015 as National Preparedness Month, and encourage all people and businesses in
Orange County to develop their own emergency preparedness plan, and work together toward
creating a more prepared community.
This, the 15'h Day of September, 2015.
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
COUNTY SEAL
Donna Baker
Clerk to the Board