National Preparedness Month 2019: Are You Ready, Foster City?

FOSTER CITY, CA — Foster City is launching its National Preparedness Month campaign in September, as part of a nationwide effort, with the theme, “Prepared, Not Scared. Be Ready for Disasters,” along with hosting a variety of local events.

The goal is to remind residents to take personal action "now" to prepare throughout the year for any type of emergency that may arise, according to city officials.

“We continue to see disasters occurring more frequently throughout the state and with greater severity than ever before,” said Jenelle Masterson, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department’s emergency services manager. “Foster City residents should think about what they would do if they found themselves in a similar circumstance.

"By taking small steps to prepare an emergency communications plan, assemble necessary items into an emergency kit, or obtain basic disaster skills training through our free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program, our community can build resilience and be more prepared overall for a disaster.”

Among the area preparedness offerings are a drawing for a personal emergency kit, valued at more than $40, for community members who participate in the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department National Preparedness Month Survey, and such education courses as CPR/AED and Get Ready. For more information on the monthly classes, visit www.smcfire.eventbrite.com.

A San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Fair is set for Sept.21, as an interactive, family-friendly event that aids in building "go-kits." More details for this event can be found at www.smcdisasterprep.org.

National Preparedness Month also will culminate in Foster City with a fire and police department's Open House on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m-2 p.m.

Every year since September 2004, the country has marked "National Preparedness Month" as nationwide effort to educate individuals, families and organizations of the importance that personal preparedness can make during responses and recoveries to natural or manmade disasters, officials said.

For more information and other emergency preparedness resources, visit the fire department’s website, www.smcfire.org, or call the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department at (650) 522-7900.

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