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DPC to Distribute 7000 Emergency
Preparedness Go-Kits in Maryland
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.
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