Indio is 100% Behind National Preparedness

The City of Indio is supporting National Preparedness Month through outreach in September

INDIO — National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.” Make no mistake: Indio is all in.

For the first time in its history, the Ready Campaign, in partnership with the Ad Council, identified the Hispanic community as a key audience, and will launch a series of Public Service Advertisements specifically designed to encourage preparedness within the underserved demographic.

The City of Indio is ramping up efforts to educate the community about how to be prepared in the event of an emergency during National Preparedness Month.  National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year.

Each Wednesday in September from 10:00 a.m. to noon, Emergency Operations Center Manager Dennis Day is partnering with Indio businesses to provide emergency preparedness materials and share valuable strategies to our community’s individuals, families, pets and businesses.  Participants who come by the booth at these events will also have an opportunity to win a deluxe emergency preparedness kit by signing up for the City’s monthly digital newsletter, Indio Live.

• Sept 1: Walmart (82491 Ave 42)
• Sept 8: Dollar General (43423 Monroe Street)
• Sept 15: Home Depot (42100 Jackson Street)
• Sept 22: Tractor Supply Co (42625 Jackson Street)
• Sept 29: Yellowmart (82470 Miles Avenue)

Day is a familiar face with the new title.  Previously an employee with the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Day was recently hired by the City of Indio to provide emergency management guidance to the City and run the City’s Emergency Operations Center.

“Emergency management is one of those vital municipal services; it’s the third pillar of public safety along with law enforcement and fire service” added Day.

Day will also participate in a Facebook Live event on the City of Indio’s Facebook page on Monday, Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m. to promote these events and discuss emergency preparedness strategies.

City of Indio employees will have a new and comprehensive training and exercise plan, to be implemented in time for National Preparedness Month.  Employees will be trained on Incident Command Systems, and learn their roles during a potential activation of the City’s Emergency Operations Center. These trainings, along with employee education on emergency preparedness, household communications plans, and an opportunity to attend Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training will ensure Indio employees are prepared for a large-scale emergency in the City.

Check out the city’s earthquake flyer here.

To learn more about Indio’s National Preparedness Month, and obtain resources on how to prepare for Earthquakes and other natural disasters, go to the Emergency Preparedness page on the City of Indio’s website.