Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Director A.J. Schall discussed their charge, coordinating the State’s efforts to prepare, respond and recover from emergencies, including hurricanes, flooding, chemical spills or accidents.

Preparing involves us and he advises us make a plan, have a kit ready for evacuation or sheltering in place, have an emergency contact list and a meeting point, download their apps and have a charger ready. He discussed the importance of insurance and the economic impact of disasters on the community.

To help us get ready, DEMA is hosting their 19th Annual Family Preparedness Day Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brecknock County Park, 80 Old Camden Road in Camden, Delaware. This FREE event features fun, family-friendly educational activities, and safety demonstrations in observance of National Preparedness Month. Food, music, raffles and photo opportunities with firetrucks and helicopters and with beloved safety mascots and K-9 service dogs round out the fun. The event and onsite parking are free to the public, and the first 500 people to complete an activity challenge can earn a free treat from Kona Ice. It’s rain or shine.

The event will feature more than 40 public safety agencies, nonprofits, and utilities that provide adults and children of all ages a chance to interact with and learn from first responders and safety experts in a fun, family-friendly environment. There will be Make-A-Kit activities to raise awareness of the importance of emergency kits and go bags, a car seat safety check sponsored by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Hands Only CPR presented by Kent County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Stop the Bleed classes from Bayhealth Healthcare and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security will feature an Impaired Driver Simulator.

DEMA is also relaunching the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) offering residents classroom instruction in emergency preparedness and disaster response along with hands-on activities and simulations to prepare them to render basic support in the critical time before first responders arrive.

Get valuable information about disaster preparation at PrepareDe.org and to learn more about CERT and DEMA go to DEMA.DE.gov

Not in Delaware? Every state has a Department of Emergency Management available through your state’s portal.