UC Public Safety encourages UC community to prepare for emergencies

This September, the University of Cincinnati Public Safety Department is encouraging students, faculty and staff to participate in National Preparedness Month.

National Preparedness Month, put on by the Department of Homeland Security, provides an opportunity to remind us of the importance of preparing for emergencies before they happen. This year’s theme is, “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.”

• Week One: Make and Practice Your Plan
  Do you have an emergency plan? To start your plan consider: how you receive emergency alerts and warnings (or how you could sign up for alerts), what your shelter plan is, what your evacuation route is and what your communication plan is with your family, roommate or co-workers.
• Week Two: Learn Life Saving Skills
  Are you prepared for an emergency? Have enough food, water and medications to last for at least 72 hours in your home. Also, stock up on extra batteries and have flashlights for lighting. To learn life-saving emergency skills go to http://go.usa.gov/x5Xcm and https://community.fema.gov/until-help-arrives.
• Week Three: Check Your Coverage
  Do you know what your insurance covers? If you live in a rented apartment or house, do you have rental insurance? This is the time to make sure you’re covered.  For more information about UC’s coverage visit Enterprise Risk Management.
• Week Four: Save For an Emergency
  Do you have emergency savings? Ready.gov offers an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit and information about how to prepare financially for a disaster, including what important documents you should have for an emergency. If you are a student, the Division of Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Office of the Bursar can provide financial assistance from the Bearcat Emergency Fund or a short term loan in an emergency situation.

Public Safety will be holding a two-day event on Sept. 13 and 14 to provide our campus community with information and the opportunity to learn how to prepare for an emergency, including “Stop the Bleed” training and the opportunity to win prizes.

Join Public Safety, University Health Services, College of Medicine—Division of EMS, Enterprise Risk Management, Housing, Student Affairs, Resident Education and Development, Hamilton County EMA and the Student Safety Board on both days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on National Preparedness Month or any of the topics above, go to www.ready.gov/plan. Follow @UCPublicSafety on Twitter and Instagram, or follow UC Public Safety on Facebook, for preparedness tips posted throughout the month.