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| back | | National Preparedness Month Kick Off | | |
Mayor Nutter Urges All Philadelphians to Prepare for Emergencies
 Sept. 3, 2008 - Mayor Michael Nutter and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. were joined by a contingent of City officials; Tom Foley, CEO of the American Red Cross SEPA Chapter; Jayson Sutton of Target; Ready campaign spokesperson and celebrated actor David Morse; and members of the Red Cross Clubs to kick off a month-long series of community-based Preparedness events and workshops to be held throughout Philadelphia for National Preparedness Month.
“The thought of being caught in a fire, flood, hazardous chemical release or other emergency can be frightening; but if people aren’t prepared, the results can be devastating.” said Mayor Nutter. “That’s why I am asking all Philadelphians to prepare for any kind of emergency. We all need to take personal responsibility and prepare. It just makes sense to do so.”
 Mayor Nutter and Tom Foley presented a Proclamation naming September National Preparedness Month in the city and Go Bag to a family staying at Red Cross House, located at 40th and Powelton Streets. Members of the Red Cross Clubs Youth Council also received certificates for leading the planning efforts of a Disaster Camp for 29 youth from the surrounding community.
During the event, Mayor Nutter announced that throughout September, the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the American Red Cross SEPA Chapter will be conducting six Preparedness Workshops at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates to help Philadelphians prepare for any kind of emergency, to learn about their neighborhood evacuation routes, sign up for emergency text alerts through ReadyNotifyPA, and sign up to get a free smoke detector:
Wednesday, September 3, Columbus Recreation Center,12th and Wharton Streets.
Thursday, September 4, Federation Housing Building (Rieder House),10102 Jamison Avenue
Wednesday, September 10, 24th Police District Courtroom, 3901 North Whitaker Avenue
Thursday, September 11, The Philadelphian, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue
Monday, September 22, University City High School, 36th and Filbert Streets
Monday, September 29, Philadelphia University, Downs Auditorium, Henry Avenue and School House Lane
 In recognition of his efforts to promote emergency preparedness, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers named David Morse an Honorary Fire Chief and presented him with a Fire Chief's helmet.
On September 15, OEM will host a Volunteer Sign Up Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Love Park, John F. Kennedy Plaza, 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Rain date is September 19. “We all have a role to play in keeping Philadelphia safe and secure,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison. “It starts with you. Become a volunteer to help make Philadelphia safer, stronger and better prepared for emergencies.” Eleven agencies will be participating including the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps, Philadelphia Town Watch Integrated Services, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia, Second Alarmers Association of Philadelphia, and Southeastern Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters.
 Following the press conference, Mayor Nutter, Tom Foley and David Morse lead the group in assembling 100 Red Cross disaster preparedness kits (Go Bags), with emergency supplies, donated by Target. The Go Bags will be given to Red Cross House families -- people who are staying at Red Cross House because they have been temporarily or permanently displaced as a direct result of a disaster.
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