When I was a young lad, “Be prepared” was the Boy Scout’s motto and creed for living.
As a former scout, I quickly learned that preparation was important to accomplishing any objective in life.
Being somewhat older now and having attended emergency management seminars, I have learned from the professionals that preparation is considered to be 50% of effective emergency management!
Consequently, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the Town’s Emergency
Management Team, we are asking every citizen to do just three things to prepare for a potential serious community storm emergency:
1. Visit the Town website and click on “Emergency Preparedness Info” on the
home page. When the emergency preparedness page opens, click on the orange “Emergency Preparedness Guide” in the upper right corner. This guide will provide valuable emergency planning information.
2. In the guide, go to page 18 “Emergency Supplies Checklist”. Every household
should have on hand at least 3 days (and preferably 7 days) of non-perishable
packaged or canned food and water for each person in the household unit, and
3. Add your cell phone number to “Code Red” to receive emergency announcements.
The two major storms in 2011 demonstrated that power outages can occur that last for many days. As was reported, some residents in the central part of the state were without power for 10-11 days! In such cases, regional food and water supply shortages develop quickly. Therefore, the time to act is now. Be prepared.
While the Town of Wilton has conducted its own emergency planning drill and most recently, participated in a Connecticut statewide emergency management exercise, Town officials also expect citizens to help by making their own emergency preparations.
As we all saw last week, storms can be sudden and violent. Therefore, don’t wait another day. If you have not prepared sufficiently, add these tasks to the top of your “TO DO” list.
State officials and emergency management officials have all indicated that our area is overdue for a major storm and “hurricane season” is already here!
Take action now! Be prepared! Be ready!
Bill Brennan
First Selectman
Town of Wilton
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