HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-07-2005-6bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date:
September 7, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: National Preparedness Month in
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management
Cou
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)
No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jack Ball, 968-2050
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To designate the month of September 2005 as National Preparedness Month in
Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The United States Department of Homeland Security, the American Red
Cross, the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Association of
Counties, and 124 other entities have formed a coalition to engage Americans in emergency
preparedness by continuing the National Preparedness Month for September 2005. The
Orange County Department of Emergency Management encourages all residents to use this
time to educate their families about preparing for all types of emergencies.
Hurricanes Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne impacted North Carolina in 2004 and left communities of
western North Carolina with devastation from which recovery continues a year later. These
communities experienced extreme flooding, power outages, and landslides from the storms.
The impacts from these hurricanes, and the memories of prior events that have affected
Orange County, such as the December 2002 ice storm, should reinforce residents'
understanding that they should be prepared at all times to be self-sustaining for seventy-two
(72) hours, at a minimum, in the event government or volunteer emergency response agencies
cannot reach them immediately after a disaster. Residents should maintain a kit that will
support everyone in the family for a minimum of 72 hours. The kit should also include a NOAA
weather radio to provide information on all hazards, twenty-four (24) hours a day. Information
on compiling such kits may be found at Orange County Emergency Management's new
preparedness website www.readyorange.org or by calling 919-968-2050.
This is a good time for families to re-educate themselves about what to do during an
emergency, revisit and revise family emergency plans, update the list of important telephone
numbers, and double-check the family disaster supplies kit.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no significant financial impact to Orange County with approval
of the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board proclaim the month of
September 2005, as National Preparedness Month in Orange County, and encourage residents
to engage in sound emergency preparedness practices.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A PROCLAMATION
National Preparedness Month
September 2005
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Homeland Security, along with 127 other
entities, has designated the month of September 2005 as National Preparedness
Month; and
WHEREAS, Orange County frequently experiences impacts from, and is vulnerable to, most
types of natural disasters, including the November 1992 Hillsborough tornado,
Hurricane Fran in 1996, Hurricane Floyd in 1999, the major snowfall in 2000, and
the ice storm in December 2002; and
WHEREAS, There is an ever present risk of hazardous materials emergencies, building
collapse, fires, terrorist attacks, and other man-made disasters in and around
Orange County; and
WHEREAS, From 1993 through 2003, governments, residents and businesses in Orange
County received nearly $16.4 million in federal disaster assistance; and
WHEREAS, The need for residents to learn more about various disasters and how to protect
themselves should be emphasized;
NOW THEREFORE, The Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims the month
of September 2005 as National Preparedness Month in Orange County, and
encourages all residents to learn more about emergencies and disasters and
engage in sound preparedness practices.
Adopted this 7th day of September, 2005.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners