In life, things happen beyond our control. Those things can range from minor disruptions to major emergencies or temporary disasters such as flooding, overwhelming snow fall, and wildfires just to name a few. Those involved, both victim and volunteer, need to know how to respond and who to contact in order to offer their time, effort, and skills in the most effective manner. But wanting to help is just the first step. We need to know how to prepare as well as volunteer in different capacities when help is most needed and how the organization of that assistance can be done in the most efficient way to meet whatever the needs may be at the time. Learn how we can all be prepared, not scared.
National Preparedness Month (NPM), is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year. The 2019 theme is Prepared, Not Scared. There are an endless number of disasters to worry about. Preparing for every possible disaster leaves you with a long, disorganized list of things to buy or do, which may not match personal needs. Preparation can seem unattainable. We check off the first few items from our list, give up, and hope zombies eat us first. It’s time to start preparing with one simple change: Prepare for disruptions, not disasters! It doesn’t matter whether a power outage was caused by a flood, backhoe, or grandma backing into a pole. Just prepare for the power outage! Preparing you for a few disruptions will prepare you for any disaster. You really can prepare for everything.
FREE Preparedness Workshop Information:
- Saturday, September 28, 2019
- Calvary Baptist Church, 2160 Sherman Avenue, Monte Vista.
- 9:00-11:00AM. Registration begins at 8:30AM.
- Facebook Event Information
- Email: slv.voad@gmail.com
San Luis Valley Emergency Organization’s Information:
- The mission of the SLV VOAD is to provide coordination and support for volunteer organizations to help our community prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters in partnership with local emergency response organizations.
- San Luis Valley VOAD Coordinator: Nicolle Rosecrans.
- Facebook Page
- Email: slv.voad@gmail.com
- Phone: 719-850-4489
- SLV Emergency Preparedness and Response serves public health agencies and partners in the San Luis Valley to support their emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. We are part of the regional staff shared by the six counties of the San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership.
- Website
- Phone 719-587-6639
- Email: Linda Smith – lsmith@alamosacounty.org
- Email: Kay Crowder – kcrowder@alamosacounty.org
- Facebook Page
- Prevention, people and partnerships sum up the work of local public health programs. The main purpose of public health is to make sure all of us have the opportunity to be healthy in mind, body and spirit. Most public health work is population-based, meaning it focuses on improving the health of the entire community rather than addressing individual health care needs. The mission of Rio Grande County Public Health Agency is to protect and improve the health of the people of Rio Grande County, Colorado.
- Director: Emily Brown, MPH, CPH.
- Email: ebrown@riograndecounty.org
- Phone: 719-657-3352
- Fax: 719-657-2286
- Address: 925 6th Street, Room 101, Del Norte, CO 81132
- We provide the tools to help individuals & families foster healthy minds, bodies and spirits. We create healthier schools, workplaces and communities by working with community partners to integrate behavioral health services. We are dedicated to bring Hope, Healing and Recovery to our community.
- Website
- Address (Main Office): 8745 CR 9 South, Alamosa, CO 81101
- 24 Hour Crisis Hotline & Call Center: 719-589-3671
- Phone: 719-589-3671
- Fax: 719-587-6824
- Email: info@SLVBHG.com
- Facebook Page
Other Local Information:
- Rio Grande Office of Emergency Management Website
- Rio Grande County Facebook Page
- SLV Emergency Website
- SLV RETAC Website
- SLV RETAC Facebook Page
State Level Offices:
- Ready Colorado Website
- Colorado VOAD Website
- Spark The Change Colorado Website
- Colorado Department of Public Health Website
Federal Level Offices:
- FEMA Website
- National Preparedness Month Website
- Disaster Assistance Website
- Ready.gov Free Emergency Preparedness Publications
- EPA National Preparedness Month Information
Other:
- Suicide Prevention & Awareness Event Webpage.
- Suicide Prevention & Awareness Facebook Event Page
- Time: 10:30am – 2pm.
- Date: September 26, 2019.
- Location: Adams State University, Carson Auditorium.
If you, your business or organization are interested in helping out, please contact the SLV VOAD or any other organization listed above to volunteer. Thank you for doing so.
Power Point presentation courtesy of the Alamosa County Emergency Management team. Music by Audionautix and Purple Planet Music. Used under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.
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