Chester County residents can sign up for free emergency alerts and build household disaster plans as part of a countywide preparedness push this September.
The Chester County Board of Commissioners proclaimed September as National Preparedness Month during a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Staff from the Chester County Department of Emergency Services (CCDES) joined commissioners for the announcement, part of the national "America Stands Ready" campaign.
Dan Saunders, a CCDES technological hazards coordinator, thanked commissioners for spotlighting the issue and outlined the department's work to keep the county ready for emergencies, according to the county's announcement.
CCDES is asking residents to take three steps:
- Sign up for ReadyChesCo alerts. The free system sends emergency warnings by phone, text or email. Register at ReadyChesCo.org.
- Build a go-kit. A portable bag of essentials ready to grab during an evacuation.
- Create a family emergency plan. A shared plan so household members know where to meet and how to communicate if separated.
National Preparedness Month runs through Sept. 30.
