Maryland to Distribute 7000 Emergency Preparedness Go-Kits

The Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD), in partnership with local community- and faith-based organizations across the state of Maryland, will distribute 7000 Protect Your Family 1-2-3 emergency preparedness go-kits to individuals and families across the State.  The distribution begins today, just as the winter storm season approaches. 

“Recent events have shown us that preparing for emergencies before they occur is one of the best ways to protect our families and ensure their safety before, during and after a disaster occurs,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.  “The Protect Your Family project is an outstanding initiative that will ensure that all our citizens have the knowledge and the tools they need for an emergency situation.”

MDOD’s Protect Your Family 1-2-3 campaign has a simple emergency preparedness message targeting 3000 individuals and families with persons who are elderly or medically frail, 1500 individuals and families who are economically disadvantaged, and 2500 Spanish-speaking individuals and families who may not have ready access to preparedness messages and information in English.  The message communicates three main ideas quickly and in non-verbal form:  (1) pick a place to reunite with your family; (2) be ready with water, food and medicine; and (3) know where to seek help before, during and after a disaster or emergency strikes. 

“The Center conducted a pilot of this campaign last summer and found that one of the most effective ways to not only get emergency preparedness information to families, but to get people to act on the information they receive, is by distributing go-kits,” said Carl T. Cameron, Ph. D., President of the Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness (DPC).  “These go-kits are filled with valuable information and emergency items,” said Dr. Frances Norwood, director of the Protect Your Family 1-2-3 campaign for DPC.  “When people sort through these materials, they are able to make just a few important changes in how they prepare for a disaster or emergency.”

DPC will distribute the go-kits, which include light sticks, first aid and personal care items, water bottles and preparedness information, with the help of local organizations across the state.  Go-kit distributors include the Telamon Corporation, CASA de Maryland and Centro de la Comunidad, Maryland Department of Aging, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Community Services along with local health departments and emergency management agencies.  CVS Pharmacy, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Maryland Relay, Bradford Bank, BJ’s Wholesale Club and Wal-Mart also contributed items for the kits. 

“The Protect Your Family 1-2-3 campaign has been an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when state, federal and local organizations work together for the greater good,” said JoAnne Knapp, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the Maryland Department of Disabilities.  “This successful partnership means that thousands of Marylanders will receive emergency preparedness kits that could ultimately save lives.”

For more information on the Protect Your Family 1-2-3 campaign, please contact Dr. Frances Norwood at DPC, 202-338-7158, ext. 208 or fnorwood@inclusionresearch.org or JoAnne Knapp, Director of Emergency Preparedness Policy, MDOD at 410-767-3647 or jknapp@mdod.state.md.us.

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The Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness is a center within Inclusion Research Institute (IRI) a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization, which educates consumers and professionals on innovative approaches in health and welfare enabling persons of all ages, including individuals with disabilities and other special needs to lead independent and productive lives.