National Preparedness Month - Volunteer Mobilization Exercise

Volunteers Needed: Emergency Preparedness Exercise

Individuals are needed Saturday, September 25, 2010 to act as mock emergency volunteers.

Volunteer Fairfax, the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management, and the Fairfax County Health Department will be testing their Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) plans, which assign volunteers to the needs of emergency response and recovery specialists.

If you are interested in acting as an emergency volunteer for this event or would like additional information, please contact Volunteer Fairfax.

This exercise is also being done in coordination with other volunteer agencies in the region. If you are interested in participating but not local to Fairfax, please contact your local volunteer agency to see if they are participating or contact Volunteer Fairfax for a list of other participating agencies.

Fairfax County Declares September Emergency Preparedness Month

The Board of Supervisors designated September 2010 as Emergency Preparedness Month in Fairfax County.

Pictured above are staff from Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management and Citizen Corps representatives.

"Residents of Fairfax County are encouraged to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies by organizing an emergency supply kit; formulating a personal preparedness plan; becoming knowledgeable about various threats; and becoming involved in preparing their community." (Source: www.fairfaxcounty.gov).

In addition, "the Board of Supervisors designated Aug. 3 as National Night Out in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Police Department sponsors National Night Out to promote the importance of community-police partnerships, neighborhood safety and public awareness of crime prevention programs."

CERT Volunteer Snowed in During the Recent Blizzard?

Are you a CERT volunteer snowed in during the recent blizzard? Then we know you have an emergency preparedness kit (complete with food, flashlights, batteries, water, etc.) So you are prepared!

There are still a few things you can do:

- Check on your neighbors.

- Shovel out a fire hydrant.

Also, do you know what number to call, if you lose power and need someone to come evacuate you to a shelter? Chances are that someone will come and just pick you up are probably a little unlikely.

A good number to have on hand is your local county emergency hotline/information number.

Citizen Corps Volunteers Needed To Help Those Without Power

Local Citizen Corps Council receives request from Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to gather a list of volunteers with 4x4 vehicles that are able to transport individuals that are without power. They would like to make a list of available volunteers with their contact information including name, address, and phone.

This effort is being coordinated by the local volunteer coordination center, Volunteer Fairfax.

Those in the Fairfax County area of Virginia, should email mferreira@volunteerfairfax.org.