Twitter Press Conference to End National Preparedness Month 2009

Wally Wise Guy, the Shelter-in-Place Turtle, held a press conference on Twitter to mark the end of National Preparedness Month 2009 in the City of Philadelphia. Citizens were able to log on and ask any questions they may have had regarding Philadelphia's National Preparedness Month activities or emergency preparedness in general.

When: Wednesday, September 30, at 2 p.m.

Where: http://twitter.com/philaoem

OEM in the News

Northeast Times - Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst

Philadelphia Inquirer - Security Alerts Cite Stadiums, Transit

Volunteer Sign Up Day

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Find Out First About Emergencies, Sign Up for ReadyNotifyPA

When situations arise in Philadelphia that may affect you and your family, ReadyNotifyPA alerts you quickly via email or text. Be among the first to find out and stay informed during an emergency. To sign up, simply text PHILA to 411911 or log on to www.readynotifypa.org.

• Alerts are free; however, your cellular provider may charge for text messaging.
• You may even choose to get other alerts, such as severe weather, transportation delays, and health alerts.
• ReadyNotifyPA is also available in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. So, if you spend time in more than one area you can sign up for alerts from multiple counties.
• Encourage your family, friends, neighbors and community members to sign up for these important emergency alerts.
• ReadyNotifyPA is a Ready Region service provided by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force and the emergency management coordinators of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Prepare Your Business for Emergencies

Develop a continuity plan for your business or organization by taking five simple steps:

• Assess the Hazards That Could Affect Your Organization: Identify the hazards most likely to affect your organization and plan for those first. Consider the potential impacts of all hazards when developing emergency plans, such as whether your facility is vulnerable to flooding, or how a power outage might affect your organization’s ability to do business or provide services.
• Plan to Stay Open: How quickly your company or organization can resume normal operations after a fire, flood, or other emergency depends on emergency planning. Start by outlining how you will preserve or restore critical functions.
• Talk to Your People: One of the best methods to ensure your organization’s recovery is to provide for your coworkers’ well-being. Communicate regularly with employees before, during, and after an incident.
• Protect your Investment: In addition to protecting your employees, it is important to safeguard your organization’s physical assets.
• Know how to Respond: Almost every business or organization is required by law to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). The EAP details how your business will address life safety issues in an emergency. If fire extinguishers are required or provided in your workplace, and if anyone will be evacuating during a fire or other emergency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires you to have an EAP.

6 ABC Action News: The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce hosts an Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Businesses with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Phila. Holds Free Sessions on Emergency Preparedness

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Phila. Holds Free Sessions on Emergency Preparedness

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Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Plan for Any Special Needs During an Evacuation

Consider any special needs you or your loved ones may have when you develop your household evacuation plan.

• Will you need help to evacuate? Determine who will help you and how you will get to a safe place or shelter.


• Make sure you have a method for reaching your emergency contacts.


• Locate all usable exits from each room and from your building. Make a habit of knowing where the exits are whenever you are in a new location (such as shopping malls, restaurants, movies and theaters).


• Know evacuation plans for all places where you spend time. Every building’s plan is different. Find out if there are floor marshals, and if they are responsible for evacuation plans. Be sure to let them know what special assistance you may need in an emergency.


• Have a backup transportation plan in case your usual method is not available.


• Practice your plans through regular drills. If you practice drills, you can evacuate with greater ease during a real emergency.


• Practice dealing with different conditions and unexpected situations, such as blocked paths or exits.


• Do you rely on special means of communication, such as American Sign Language or computers that “speak”? Develop a plan for speaking with emergency workers and other unfamiliar people (for example, writing messages or pointing to words and pictures). Are you are blind or have low vision? Make sure your support network members practice guiding and directing you.


• Include service animals in all drills so they become familiar with exit routes.

Also consider other supplies and equipment based on your special needs. These items may include:

• Back-up medical equipment, such as oxygen, scooter battery, mobility aids, hearing aids and batteries, and glasses


• Supplies for pets and service animals.

Mayor Nutter Kicks Off National Preparedness Month

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Nutter, Red Cross Spread Word About Preparedness Month

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - Nutter, Red Cross Spread Word About Preparedness Month

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Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: September is National Preparedness Month learn how to develop a Household Emergency Plan

September is National Preparedness Month and Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management encourages you to talk with your family about emergencies: what to do, how to find each other and how to stay in contact during an emergency.

• Be ready to Shelter-in-Place for at least 72 hours.
• Have a Go Bag and be ready to evacuate.
• Decide on two meeting places where household members should meet after an emergency - one right outside or close to your home and anther outside your neighborhood.
• Practice evacuating from your home using different exits and practice getting to your meeting places.
• Ask a friend or relative who lives outside of the 215 area code to be your family's emergency contact. If local phone circuits are busy, long distance calls may be easier to make.
• Plan for everyone in your family especially seniors, people with disabilities, and non-English speakers.
• Give everyone in your house a copy of your emergency plan and emergency contact information to keep in their wallets or backpacks.
• Twice a year - check your emergency plan and the expiration dates of your emergency supplies when you change your clocks and fire alarms batteries.