Ready for Anything
The National Association of Professional Organizers is proud to be participating in the 5th Annual National Preparedness Month in September. Sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign, NPM is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies.
To help its members and the community become better prepared, NAPO is helping to educate people about the importance of careful preparation and planning to effectively deal with emergencies and natural disasters.
“Ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and other natural disasters, Americans have been increasingly aware of the importance of being prepared for any kind of emergency,” said NAPO President Standolyn Robertson. “As professional organizers, we can help people prepare themselves at home and in the office for emergencies. By taking the time to get organized and plan ahead, they can more effectively deal with any kind of situation.”
Some tips for preparing an emergency plan:
o Speak to your children’s school about their shelter-in-place and/or evacuation plans
o Determine what types of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified
o Know the evacuation plan at your job
o If your cell phone was inoperable, determine how you would you get in touch with family
o Devise a family meeting place and an out-of-town contact
o Prepare a small kit with emergency supplies that you keep at home, in your car, or at work in case of an evacuation
NAPO joins more than 1,200 national, regional, state and local businesses and organizations that
have pledged their support and joined the 2008 National Preparedness Month Coalition. National
Preparedness Month helps to raise awareness and promote action by Americans, businesses,
and communities on emergency preparedness.
“Individual preparedness is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness,” said Homeland
Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Experience shows that if Americans take steps ahead of
time, they stand a much better chance of coming through an emergency unharmed and
recovering more quickly.”
If you would like assistance of a professional organizer to help you prepare, contact Julie Cubino, Certified Professional Organizer and NAPO member since 2004. For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.
