The heavy rains and flooding that occurred earlier this year was a sobering reminder to many Kansans of the need to be prepared for severe weather and other emergencies.
To help Kansans be prepared, local, state, and federal agencies will take part in the annual Kansas Preparedness Day at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson on Monday, Sept. 9.
Kansas Preparedness Month is observed each September to place a special emphasis on reminding Kansans to be prepared for tornadoes, floods, wildfires, blizzards and other disasters by assembling an emergency kit and making emergency plans for homes and businesses.
Our fine first responders do heroic work whenever a disaster strikes, Governor Laura Kelly said. However, their numbers are often too few when compared to the size of the task they have to do. It is the responsibility of every Kansan to make sure they have prepared themselves and their families to be able to be as safe as possible until help can arrive."
At Kansas Preparedness Day, numerous local, state, and federal agencies, and community emergency response organizations will be set up near the Administration Building at the south end of the Kansas State Fair across from the entrance gate to provide disaster preparedness and public safety information, and display emergency response equipment. The public may also register for prize drawings.
Agencies and organizations participating in the Kansas Preparedness Day event include the Adjutant Generals Department/Kansas Division of Emergency Management/Kansas National Guard, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Fire Marshals Office, Kansas Citizen Corps, Hutchinson Fire Department, Hutchinson Police Department, Hutchinson Reno County Emergency Communications, South Hutchinson Police Department, Salvation Army, Reno Community Emergency Response Team, Reno County Emergency Management, Reno County Health Department, Reno County Sheriffs Department, Reno County Volunteers Organizations Active in Disasters, National Weather Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Sept. 9 is Dillons Dollar Day at the Fair; admission is $1 or free with a Dillons card.
During Preparedness Month, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management is also reminding the public to take part in its monthly online Preparedness Challenge at www.facebook/KansasEmergency. Additional information on disaster kits and family preparedness can be found at www.ready.gov.