Shenandoah Valley Project Impact observes National Preparedness Month, marks 15-year anniversary

September is National Preparedness Month, a nation-wide campaign designed to create awareness about emergency, severe weather and disaster readiness.  The theme of this year’s National Preparedness Month is “Don’t Wait. Communicate.” Each week of the month will focus on a different type of emergency and how to prepare. Emergencies covered will include flood, wildfire, hurricane and power outages.  September 30^th will wrap up  with “National PrepareAthon! Day.”

The month also marks a special anniversary for the regional disaster preparedness organization, Shenandoah Valley Project Impact (SVPI). SVPI is an educational program of the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) that was founded in September 2000 through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The mission of SVPI is to create resilience and disaster-resistance in the Central Shenandoah Valley. SVPI will recognize its 15^th anniversary with several events throughout the month.

On September 19^th, SVPI and the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Community Emergency Response Team (S-A-W CERT) will have a booth at the 2nd Annual Self-Reliance Expo at Augusta Expo in Fishersville. Members will hand out preparedness materials and talk about preparations for severe weather and emergencies.

On September 22^nd, SVPI will hold a workshop at the Staunton Public Library, titled “Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning for Childcare Programs.”  Presented in partnership with Shenandoah Valley Social Services, the workshop will educate childcare providers on creating an emergency plan and safety during emergencies and severe weather.

During September and October, SVPI will be circulating a survey aimed at determining how prepared the citizens of the Central Shenandoah Valley are for emergencies, severe weather and disasters. The public is encouraged to complete the short survey by visiting: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/iamprepared.

Anyone interested in planning and implementing educational programs and activities in the Central Shenandoah Valley to increase disaster-resistance and resiliency should contact Rebecca Joyce, Coordinator at[email protected] or 540-885-5174.