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Join ADOT in recognizing National Preparedness Month

Join ADOT in recognizing National Preparedness Month

September 1, 2011
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Did you know today kicks off the start of National Preparedness Month?

It’s a national effort focused on getting families, workplaces and emergency responders prepared for anything … because disasters and emergencies never seem to give much of a warning.

Led by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Preparedness Month got its start after 9/11 as a way to increase preparedness in this country. Through the Ready campaign, citizens are being armed with knowledge and ideas on how to best be prepared.

Check out ready.gov. It gives detailed information on how to create an emergency supply kit and the importance of having a family emergency plan. The site also offers plenty of resources on how to be better informed on the types of disasters that might impact you.

Maybe you’re wondering what all this has to do with transportation and ADOT …

Well, every aspect of what we do here at ADOT is done to support public safety. Yes, we build safe roads, but ADOT employees also play a significant role in responding to emergencies and disasters throughout Arizona.

You might remember back in June when wildfires threatened lives and forced evacuations across the state…ADOT crews were there to assist in coordinating and setting up the closures of hundreds of miles of state highways.

It’s important that as emergency responders ADOT employees are prepared to react to disasters and emergencies so they can provide the essential public safety services ADOT is responsible for. To ensure that readiness, ADOT routinely participates in preparedness and response activities with communities throughout the state (more on that next week).

Stay tuned to the blog all this month as we focus on different aspects of ADOT’s emergency preparedness functions. (And don’t forget to make a stop over at Ready.gov for tips on how you can get your family ready!)