The Howard County Community Emergency Response Network (CERN) has released new materials to educate the public about emergency preparedness, including instructions for surviving a nuclear attack.
“Save Your Life in a Nuclear Attack” lists a series of steps to take if a nuclear attack occurs. It focuses primarily on sheltering in place and being prepared in advance with provisions such as an emergency shelter kit of food, water, medications and other supplies. All citizens are encouraged to register at www.notifymehoward.org to get messages about local emergencies.
Materials released earlier by CERN have been updated. They include “Protect Against the Flu,” “Help Your Neighbors, Help Yourself,” “Sheltering and Evacuation” and “Help Prevent Terrorism,” which includes information about what constitutes “suspicious activities.” Major Gary Gardner, deputy chief of police for operations, and Assistant Chief Ryan Miller, deputy director of the Office of Emergency Management, headed the CERN committee responsible for the emergency readiness instructional cards. The cards are available in all Howard County library branches, senior centers, government offices and online at www.cernhc.org.
CERN is a public-private partnership of first responders, nonprofit leaders and others, with a mission to enhance community resilience through emergency preparedness based on knowledge, prior planning, taking reasonable precautions and citizens helping one another.
CERN’s campaign, “Be Responsible. Be Ready.” arose from a partnership of The Horizon Foundation, Howard County Government and the Howard County Library System. The police department prepared the materials on terrorism and the Howard County health department prepared the materials on the flu. The Horizon Foundation funded the design and printing of the materials.
For more information, visit www.cernhc.org.
