National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is April 22 to April 28

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 – INTRODUCTION TO NATIONAL SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS WEEK - BE A FORCE OF NATURE, PLEDGE TO PREPARE

• Today marks the first day of the first ever National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. The week is a time for the country to make weather-readiness a national priority and examine how each and every person across the United States can be a force of nature.
• Being a force of nature when it comes to severe weather means taking appropriate action and inspiring others to do the same. Pledging to prepare, taking action, and being an example will build a Weather-Ready nation.

MONDAY, APRIL 23 – KNOW YOUR RISK, BE INFORMED

• Natural disasters such as severe weather, floods, tropical cyclones, extreme temperature, earthquakes, wildfires and tornados affect millions of people every year.  You should know what your risks are in your area and prepare to protect yourself, your family and your community.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 – TAKE ACTION, MAKE A PLAN

• Ready.gov has made it simple for you to make a family emergency plan. Download the Family Emergency Planand fill out the sections before printing it, or emailing it to yourself, your family and friends.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 – TAKE ACTION, BUILD A KIT

• A disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
• You may need to survive on your own during and after an emergency. This means having a weather radio and your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 – TAKE ACTION, HEAR THE WARNING WITH NOAA WEATHER RADIO

• NOAA Weather Radios broadcast official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Be a force of nature and get yours today:http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 – BE A FORCE OF NATURE, SPREAD THE WORD

• Beyond being informed, making a plan and building a kit means inspiring others to do the same.
• Research shows that people are most likely to take preparedness steps if they observe the preparations taken by others. Social media provides the perfect platform to model preparedness actions for others.
• Share your preparedness story with your family and friends by creating a video and posting it to YouTube or another video sharing site, post your story on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or any other social media site you’re on.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 – BE A FORCE OF NATURE, CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD

• During a severe weather event in your area continue to be an example. Tell your family and friends what you are doing to prepare.
  • Remember to send a life-saving text messages to friends in harm’s way.
  • Tell your social network that your emergency kit is stocked and ready for severe weather season.
  • Send out a tweet from your shelter, letting others know you’re safely sheltered and they should be, too.
  • Take part in a national movement for preparedness.

Call 2-1-1 for Non-Emergency Assistance

MEMA and the Council of Massachusetts United Ways (COMUW) continue to promote Mass2-1-1 as the Commonwealth's primary telephone information call center during times of emergency. The easy-to-remember 2-1-1 telephone number will be utilized as a 24/7 resource for human service and Public Safety/disaster response and planning agencies. It was designed, in part, to reduce the number of non-emergency calls made to 9-1-1.

This partnership offers citizens the opportunity for 'one-stop-shopping', with access to vital updated disaster information, numerous post-disaster programs, interpreter services, and call tracking of caller locations. Mass2-1-1 will also have the ability to act as the registration site for spontaneous volunteers and donations from the public during an emergency or crisis.

On a day-to-day basis, 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services Information and Referral. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. 2-1-1 makes it possible for people to navigate the complex and ever-growing maze of human service agencies and programs. By making services easier to access, 2-1-1 encourages prevention and fosters self-sufficiency.

Mass2-1-1 was created by The Council of Massachusetts United Ways on behalf of 22 local United Ways serving every community of the Commonwealth.

For more information about Mass2-1-1, go to http://www.mass211.org/ .