State officials Friday urged Pennsylvanians that during National Preparedness Month in September, they should take steps to get their families ready to face and survive an emergency.

"This summer we've seen tremendous damage from repeated thunderstorms in parts of Pennsylvania, which reminds us that it doesn't always take a big storm like Hurricane Sandy or Tropical Storm Lee to devastate property and disrupt lives," Glenn Cannon, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said.

Gov. Tom Corbett signed a proclamation to designate September as National Preparedness Month in Pennsylvania; and to encourage citizens to make family emergency kits and create emergency plans for their families at home and businesses.

Cannon said history has shown that emergency responders cannot reach everyone immediately after a disaster, so families should have enough food, water, medication and other necessities, including pet supplies, to survive without outside assistance for at least three days. Families should also prepare a plan to communicate and reunite if they are separated during an emergency.

Cannon also emphasized the importance of following the direction and guidance of local authorities and emergency personnel, even if it means evacuating a home or business.

"The decision to evacuate an area is not one that is made in haste or taken lightly," Cannon said. "Those who ignore an evacuation order put their own lives at risk and endanger the lives of first responders – people who in many areas in this state are volunteers with their own families and loved ones."

Residents are encouraged to visit www.ReadyPA.org which encourages citizens to take three basic steps before an emergency or natural disaster occurs:

-- Be Informed: Know what threats Pennsylvania and your community face;

-- Be Prepared: Have an emergency kit with at least three days' worth of essentials at your home, including food, one gallon of water per person per day, medications and specialized items such as baby or pet supplies. Create an emergency plan so family members know where to meet if everyone is separated when an incident occurs; and

-- Be Involved: Pennsylvanians have a long history of helping one another in times of need. Specialized training and volunteer opportunities are available so citizens can help others in their community in a disaster.

"Volunteers also play a crucial role in ensuring the Commonwealth is prepared for large-scale disasters like floods, infectious epidemics or acts of terrorism," Secretary of Health Michael Wolf said. "The State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Pennsylvania, or SERVPA, is a one-stop shop for individuals who are willing to volunteer their services during an emergency. Visit www.serv.pa.gov to help us ensure no precious time will be wasted during a disaster searching for competent and willing volunteers."

Information such as checklists for emergency kits and templates for emergency plans, as well as other information and volunteer opportunities, is available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA (1-888-973-2397).

NewsClips:

Pittsburgh Municipalities Prepare Disaster Declarations After Storms

Flooding Strands Some Armstrong County Residents

Flooding Reported In Indiana, Westmoreland Counties

Heavy Rains Cause Kiski Valley Flooding

Heavy Storms Flood Roads In Lehigh Valley

9/2/2013