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18 <br /> Elected Official's Guide to Emergencies and Disasters <br /> Preparedness, <br /> Preparedness within the field of emergency management can be best defined as a state <br /> of readiness to respond to a disaster, crisis, or any other type of emergency. <br /> Preparedness activities, such as planning, community education, training, and exercises, <br /> occur before an incident or disaster happens. It is important that you prepare by having <br /> plans and supplies for both your home and workplace. Equally important is <br /> communicating and practicing those plans with your family and co-workers. <br /> What YOU can do to prepare: <br /> • Make sure you have developed an adequate emergency preparedness plan for <br /> you and your family. You can find more information about preparedness via <br /> www.Ready0range.org <br /> • Discuss emergency preparedness with your staff. <br /> • Have water, non-perishable food, essential documents, phone numbers, and other <br /> supplies on hand to be able to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. <br /> • Make sure your personal vehicle is ready to go (chains, fuel, tires, etc.). <br /> • Attend training, either locally or online through FEMA at the Emergency <br /> Management Institute (EMI). http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS <br /> Response <br /> In the event of a major disaster, all levels of government will work together to respond <br /> successfully to disasters through the North Carolina Emergency Services hierarchy. Your <br /> role as an elected official is not primarily operational, but there are a number of <br /> responsibilities you will carry out in the event of disaster. <br /> During a disaster or incident, you are likely to receive calls from your constituents. <br /> Through these conversations, you may be able to collect information from residents and <br /> businesses that you can funnel to the appropriate departments for action, via the EOC <br /> (919-245-6150) or eoc(@orangecountync.gov. Social Media can also be a useful tool by <br /> using Twitter @ocncemergency (https://twitter.com/ocncemergency) or Facebook <br /> OCNCemergency (https://www.facebook.com/OCNCEmergency). <br /> It is up to everyone, especially elected and appointed officials, to help manage public <br /> expectations about what government can or cannot provide during or after a disaster or <br /> incident. It is helpful when you assure constituents that local government is still <br /> functioning and assure them that we will work very hard to get back to normal as quickly <br /> as possible. <br /> In the event of a life-threatening emergency, the County will be using the EverbridgeTM <br /> alerting system to perform emergency alert and warning across the county. This system <br /> utilizes the following elements at no cost to the end user: <br /> 15 <br />