Emergency Preparedness Meeting Set for Sept. 14

Mackinac County Office of Emergency Services and the St. Ignace Red Cross Disaster Team will host three town meetings in Mackinac County during September to interact with community members on the issue of emergency preparedness and homeland security issues.

The first meeting was held, Wednesday, September 7 in the Garfield Township Hall.

The other two town meetings will be at the following locations:

• Clark Township Fire Hall, Monday, September 12, 7 p.m.

• Mackinac Island Community Hall, Wednesday, September 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Topics will include what is being done in the county regarding homeland security, American Red Cross, and family and business preparedness, and a display of fire and emergency medical service equipment will be on hand. Brochures will also be available.

The meetings will be conducted by Emergency Services Director Miki Della-Moretta, volunteer Art Underwood, and St. Ignace Red Cross volunteer Donna Goldthorpe, and police and emergency services personnel will answer questions.

The town hall meetings are part of September’s National Preparedness Month, where all citizens are encouraged to prepare for emergencies at their homes, businesses, schools, and communities.

The official launch of National Preparedness Month, which will include a public preparedness fair, will take place in Washington D.C., on Thursday, September 1, bring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross together with a coalition of national partners. The goal is to provide the people with an opportunity to learn more about ways they can prepare for an emergency.

To commemorate this event, the Michigan State Police Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division is introducing its 2005 campaign, “Family and Community Emergency Safety” (FACES), that will include a Family Preparedness Guide and additional information for local communities, families, schools, and businesses.

Citizens can prepare an emergency supply kit, establish a family communication plan, and become better aware of threats that may impact their communities.