This biweekly column is sponsored by the Arlington Department of Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management.
While some people are excited for September because of cooler weather and all things flavored pumpkin spice, we are excited because its National Preparedness Month.
We’re available year around, but our annual preparedness outreach push begins much like the NFL this month, with some preseason events!
Now an annual tradition, the Arlington County Fair and Arlington County Police, Fire, Sheriff Block Party are two grand events where we get to showcase what Ready Arlington is about, and what you can do to be prepared for disasters large and small.
There will be giveaways and fun for kids of all ages, spin our Wheel of Disaster or take a crack at our Tower of Preparedness. You can take a turn to answer questions about disasters, meteorology, emergency communications and personal preparedness.
Staff will be on hand to assist you with updating your Arlington Alert account, explain what information you need to know when calling or texting 9-1-1, and we’ll have a sample “Go-Bag” with emergency supplies and checklists to help you build effective preparedness kits at home, work or while you’re out and about.
We’ll be at the Arlington County Fair, inside the Gymnasium starting at 3 p.m. on August 18-20. Arlington County government’s theme this year is superheroes, and our super power is being ready.
The Arlington County Police, Fire, Sheriff Block Party runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017. We’ll have an outreach table, and our Emergency Communications Center staff will be participating in several demonstrations with ACPD.
Can’t make it to our preseason events? Follow the newly renamed Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter for all the info on National Preparedness Month. And be sure to sign up for emergency alerts at ArlingtonAlert.com.