Get Ready and Have a Plan For National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, and both Penske and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency – through the Ready campaign – want you to know how to respond in case of a natural disaster.
Regardless of where you live, work or go to school, disasters can strike anywhere at any time. The campaign’s goal is to promote preparedness through community involvement, and natural disasters pose as serious dangers when you’re getting ready for a move.
“Be aware of what’s going on,” said Aaron Henderson, vice president of loss prevention and food safety for Penske Logistics. “Everyone, including do-it-yourself movers and drivers, should always have a plan.”
While driving with ideal conditions carries its own risks, inclement weather can further jeopardize all passengers in the vehicle. When flood warnings are circulating, driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do. For example, driving injuries can occur in floods when the vehicle hits a large amount of water and gets stuck because of rising water levels.
Additionally, natural disasters can complicate things for businesses, disrupting day-to-day operations. But, at Penske, safety is the company’s top priority.
“As a company, we are concerned with the safety of our associates, properly serving our customers and protecting our facilities and assets from damage,” said Drew Parenti, vice president of security. “We do not take these matters lightly.”
The Ready Campaign
Throughout September, this campaign will provide weekly themed toolkits, videos, graphics and social media messaging to help you sharpen your safety skills. Below are the 2018 weekly themes:
- Week 1: Sept. 1-8 Make and Practice Your Plan
- Week 2: Sept. 9-15 Learn Life Saving Skills
- Week 3: Sept. 16-22 Check Your Coverage
- Week 4: Sept. 23-29 Save For an Emergency
For tips on how you can protect yourself and your family, sign up for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) monthly preparedness text messages. Text “PREPARE” to 43362 (msg/data rates apply) or download the FEMA app for alerts and other resources. For more information, visit the Ready campaign’s website.
Plan ahead and don’t wait for a disaster to strike for you to take action.
By Chris Abruzzo