National Preparedness Day Brings Call For Philadelphia Residents To Have A Plan
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Today is National Preparedness Day, and Philadelphia officials used the occasion to remind residents to make sure they have an emergency plan for their home.
Mayor Michael Nutter, Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer and other officials gathered on the apron of City Hall to highlight the city's efforts to make sure the residents have emergency plans. Nutter cited the jarring results of a national survey by FEMA.
"Only half of the people who took the survey reported that they had supplies available in their home in case of emergency," the mayor said. "Only 39% reported that they have a family emergency plan in place, and that they have discussed these plans with family members."
Nutter said the city's Emergency Management Office with other agencies will be offering workshops to help residents create the plans. The director of that office, Samantha Phillips, said such planning can make a huge difference:
"It is important for all have families to have emergency plans in place," Phillips said, "to be self-sufficient until help arrives or until you can get to a safe place."
More information on the workshops is available here.
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