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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE SEPTEMBER 2011 AS <br />ORANGE COUNTY PREPAREDNESS MONTH <br />WHEREAS, the month of September is recognized nationally as Preparedness Month by the <br />President of the United States and the Federal Emergency Management Agency <br />to raise awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness; and <br />WHEREAS, Healthy Carolinians of Orange County's 2011 Community Health Assessment <br />revealed that only 49% of residents surveyed had a basic emergency supply kit <br />and only 31 % of those with a kit had supplies for one to three days; and <br />WHEREAS, most Community Health Assessment survey respondents either felt that there <br />was little need for an emergency supply kit or that they could grab essential <br />items from around the house when needed; and <br />WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina experienced the largest tornado outbreak in state <br />history in April 2011, which resulted in multiple deaths (24 total) and reportable <br />injuries (133 total); structure damage; power outages; and approval of over $20 <br />million in federal disaster assistance for homeowners and renters; and <br />WHEREAS, the month of September has traditionally been a period of high hurricane and <br />tropical storm activity for the State of North Carolina; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County has a strong emergency response system that includes <br />emergency services, public health, social services, fire, technical rescue, law <br />enforcement, UNC Health Care, The American Red Cross, animal protection, <br />and resident volunteer groups; and <br />WHEREAS, multiple agencies within Orange County partner to educate the general public, <br />businesses, faith-based communities, and community-based organizations about <br />the importance of emergency preparedness; and <br />WHEREAS, multiple agencies within Orange County work in partnership and individually to <br />respond to and recover from local emergencies; and <br />WHEREAS, proclaiming September as Orange County Preparedness Month will bring more <br />attention to the need for individual and family preparedness among Orange <br />County residents, and information provided during the month of September <br />about emergency preparedness will be beneficial throughout the year; <br />NOW, THEREFORE, be it recognized that the Orange County Board of Commissioners do <br />hereby proclaim September 2011 as Orange County Preparedness Month. <br />This the 8th day of September 2011. <br />Bernadette Pelissier, Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />