Aug.30, 2018 – September is National Preparedness Month and the City of Redlands is taking the opportunity to encourage residents to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies and to register for the City of Redlands Emergency Notification System.

National Preparedness Month, recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This year’s National Preparedness Month will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.   

Take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid, check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, earthquakes, and tornados. Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas.

The devastating hurricanes and wildfires of 2017 reminded the nation of the importance of preparing for disasters.  Often, we will be the first ones in our communities to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive, so it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.

Redlands residents can prepare by registering for the City of Redlands Emergency Notification System. The system was implemented in order to communicate emergency and other urgent messages to residents and other community members, using both text and voice messages in the event of an emergency affecting Redlands.

Commonly referred to as “Reverse 911,” the system will automatically call listed and unlisted telephone numbers within the area affected by the emergency and deliver a recorded message. If the phone line is busy, the system will attempt to redial those telephone numbers to make contact. If an answering machine is reached, the emergency message will be left on the machine.

Cell phone or Voice over IP (VoIP) phone numbers are not automatically included in the system database. If you wish to be contacted on your cell or VoIP phone, you must register these phone numbers online at http://www.cityofredlands.org/register.

Redlands residents can also prepare by participating in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community

The next Redlands CERT 20-hour training program is offered quarterly. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be invited to join the City of Redlands CERT team. Anyone interested may register on the City’s website at http://cityofredlands.org/certregistrations or contact Emergency Operations Manager Fay Glass at fglass@cityofredlands.org or (909) 335 4705.

Residents can also learn how to prepare for disaster. Additional emergency preparedness resources are available at the City of Redlands Emergency Management web page http://cityofredlands.org/emergency  or at https://www.ready.gov/september.