Although National Preparedness Month in September is over, preparing yourself and your family needs to continue year-round. Disasters can be in the form of a loved one experiencing a life-threatening emergency, a home fire, tornado, terrorist attack or floods – just a few of many examples. Now is the time to learn how to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters or other life-threatening emergencies that can happen at any place, any time. Click here to learn ways to better prepare.
In an event marking the conclusion of National Preparedness Month, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano addressed an audience of more than 300 members of local volunteer organizations from around the region, including the American Red Cross, DHS Citizen Corps, local emergency management agencies and employees of DHS and FEMA. The event was held Tuesday, Sept. 29th at the American Red Cross headquarters on 17th Street in Washington, D.C. and included opening remarks by Red Cross’ President and CEO Gail McGovern and remarks by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.
At the event, Napolitano recognized the tremendous work on behalf of the community of several exceptional volunteers from various organizations, including Martin Nkwain, a disaster volunteer, instructor and a disaster duty officer for the Regional Disaster Coordination Center at the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area. Napolitano’s remarks centered on America’s shared responsibility for preparedness and stressed the important role that individuals play in building a national culture of readiness and resilience. Click here to read more about this event.
Click here to read about how one of our volunteers, Martin Nkwain, was honored by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano during this event.
RedCrossNCA Blog 