LAFD: 'In Case of Emergency, Read Blog'

John Solomon

A question often faced by the Los Angeles Fire Department - and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is where to turn for a frank assessment of their disaster preparedness programs.

The answer for both agencies is simple: John Solomon.

The author of "In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog", we're honored to have John as a mentor and today as a guest contributor.

A brave man, whose personal insight into emergency management enjoys a strong following, John knows what it takes to survive a disaster when he writes...

September is National Preparedness Month, which focuses attention on what citizens should do to ready themselves, their families and their communities for potential disasters.

According to Ready.Gov, the U.S. government’s official preparedness website, there are three key steps for each citizen to become prepared for an emergency:

1) Get A Kit 2) Make A Plan 3) Be Informed.

However, this year, the federal government will be making a special push to get Americans to create an emergency communications plan for their family.

In fact, Federal Emergency Management Agency head Craig Fugate told me in an interview earlier this month that if citizens are going “to do one thing” this National Preparedness Month they should develop a family plan which he said is a good "first step" towards family disaster readiness.

In order to help Americans do the emergency planning, Ready.Gov and the Ad Council are offering some online tools to create a printable comprehensive Family Emergency Plan and an email/text containing basic information that can be shared with others.

Also, as part of developing a family emergency plan, the director of the Ready Campaign, Darryl Madden, told me that he hopes Americans will — if they have not already — check with their workplaces and kids’ schools to find about their emergency plans.

Another relatively easy but very useful thing you can do in advance to help communicate in a crisis is to prepare your cell or smart phone. This month, make sure to add your key In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact numbers to your mobile's Address Book and sign up for emergency text/e-mail alerts that many cities and towns now offer.
                                                    -John Solomon

Thank you John.

During September, the LAFD News & Information blog will feature a daily tip to help you and your family get and stay prepared.

We encourage you visit and bookmark John's "In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog", and to add his RSS Feed to your newsreader.

You'll also find John on Twitter @JohnDSolomon


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department