Clark County officials are reminding the public that September is National Preparedness Month and resources are available to help people prepare for emergencies of all types.
“Preparedness Month is a good time of year for everyone to think about what you and your family’s needs are in an emergency,” said Clark County Fire Department Deputy Chief Billy Samuels, who oversees the County’s Emergency Management Division. “Fires, floods and other emergencies are unpredictable by nature, but there are some basic steps people can take to help themselves in any emergency situation. A key is to identify your specific needs, whether you are an older person living alone, have children or pets or family members with special needs.”
The top hazards identified in Southern Nevada by local emergency managers include communicable disease, wildfire, flooding, earthquakes and extreme heat. Power outages also can happen sporadically.
Local emergency managers encourage residents to download the free Southern Nevada Community Preparedness App to help prepare and plan for emergencies. The app offers free weather alerts, safety tips and resources to help families create personalized emergency preparedness plans and disaster supply kits. More information is available in English and Spanish at https://southern-nevada-community-preparedness-app-lasvegas.hub.arcgis.com/.
The public also can sign up to receive free public safety alerts via text or email through a community notification system called CodeRED at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF1085069456. Apps for both tools are available from the Apple Store or Google Play. More details are on the Emergency Management Division section of the Fire Department’s website pages at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/Fire. The department’s website also features safety tips for a variety of situations.
This year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is focusing on preparing Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities for risks and disasters. Tips are available in multiple languages on the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website at https://www.ready.gov/september. The County’s Emergency Management Division will have an informational table set up at the Clark County Government Center in downtown Las Vegas Monday, Sept. 16, through Thursday, Sept. 19, that will offer free emergency preparedness brochures and outreach materials to the public. The key steps for preparedness include:
- Make a plan. Talk to your family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster, and how you will connect if separated. Choose a primary and secondary meeting place in case an emergency affects your home or neighborhood and designate an out-of-state contact for family members to call if separated. Consider specific needs for your household including dietary and medical requirements and cultural considerations. Teach youth to prepare for emergencies. Businesses, community organizations and families should participate in safety drills and exercises.
- Build a kit. Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your household including food and water. Consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Include provisions for infants and medically fragile family members. You also should prepare an emergency kit for your car.
- Be informed. Know the risk of dangers in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert. In an emergency, stay tuned to local TV or radio stations for alerts, instructions, and official notifications. Follow Clark County on social media @ClarkCountyNV.
These additional emergency preparedness resources also may be helpful:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: Ready.gov.
- American Red Cross: redcross.org
- Southern Nevada Health District: southernnevadahealthdistrict.org
- Nevada Division of Emergency Management: dem.nv.gov
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department: lvmpd.com.
- Clark County Regional Flood Control District: https://www.regionalflood.org/
County Emergency Management staff may be available to talk to community groups. Requests can be directed to (702) 455-5715. The public is encouraged to sign up for the 2024 Great Nevada ShakeOut, which is part of a worldwide earthquake safety drill occurring at 10:17 a.m. on Thursday Oct. 17. Information is available at https://www.shakeout.org/nevada/. In addition, Clark County Television (CCTV) has created emergency preparedness PSAs on different topics that have been shared widely with local news media and on County social media sites. Topics include:
- “Property Brothers” earthquake safety PSA with The Scott Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwbJhENzVCg.
- Report suspicious activity to the local “See Something, Say Something” hotline at (702) 828-8386: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xWmWg3Oitw
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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.4 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2023). Included are the nation’s 5th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.