Safety begins at home. The Department of Aging works with partners to ensure that older residents, their families and others who care for and serve them have the information they need in the event of an emergency. Working together, we strive to protect all of our citizens from severe weather, natural disasters and other events.
The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness informs Ohio residents of the weather hazards that most affect Ohio and encourages Ohioans to plan and prepare for severe weather before it happens. Check their site every few weeks for tips and advice to prepare for seasonal weather risks.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency coordinates the state response and recovery to disasters. When they are not responding to a disaster or other emergency, the agency provides information to emergency responders and citizens to ensure everyone is prepared to respond.
Emergency Management Be Prepared Kit - This resource, prepared by the Ohio Legal Rights Services, State agencies responsible for disability and aging services and Ohio's Developmental Disabilities Network, helps people with functional needs plan and prepare for emergencies. The online kit includes several checklists that will guide you on the documents you need to copy and keep, as well as the supplies you should have on hand just in case. The kit also promotes the idea that everyone should have sufficient supplies to "shelter-in-place" for anywhere from three days (in the event of severe weather) to two weeks (in the event of a flu pandemic).
Pandemic Flu - A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus appears or emerges and causes a global outbreak of the disease. There have been three flu pandemics in the last 100 years, the most recent in 1968, and experts predict another may occur soon. Since older individuals tend to be more susceptible to serious illness from the flu virus, the Department of Aging is a proud partner in Ohio's Pandemic Flu task force. The Ohio Deparment of Health provides and excellent online resource for information about pandemic flu and resources to help communities, families and individuals prepare and lessen its effects.
Awareness Activities
Throughout the year, Ohio utilizes "Awareness Weeks" to heighten public knowledge of severe weather, natural disasters and other unexpected occurrences that can negatively impact our citizens. Activities include educational programs, public service announcements, contests, drills and more.
