March 26, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Macon County Prepares Campaign To Kick Off In April
DECATUR - A coalition of local public service and government agencies today announced the starting date for a campaign aimed at making sure that residents throughout Macon County are prepared in the event of an emergency.
The “Macon County Prepares” Campaign will run April 1 through National Preparedness Month in September and is designed to make sure that participants have a family emergency plan and 72-hour kit so that they are kept safe in the event of an emergency or disaster. Each month will highlight a different area of an emergency plan and a different section of a 72-hour kit. Information will be provided to the public through media, employers, websites, and other groups from the community.
Kit building will involve individuals gathering items from around their homes and shopping at local stores to purchase other needed items. The campaign features a validation card listing the basic kit items that a person would need in the event of an emergency. When those items are secured and the card validated for each item, the participant will be able to submit the card into a drawing for a free generator.
Beginning April 1 the validation cards will be available at the following locations:
- United way — 202 E. Eldorado Street, Decatur
- Red Cross — 2674 N. Main St.
- Macon County Health Department, 1221 E. Condit St.
- Both Decatur Wal-Mart stores
- On the Macon County Prepares web site at www.maconcounty-prepares.info
It is recommended that people have at least three days worth of essential supplies on hand in order to weather an emergency. The Macon County Emergency Management Agency, Macon County Health Department, ADM, Ameren Illinois Utilities, American Red Cross Mid-Illinois Chapter, City of Decatur, MABAS Division 46, Macon County Community Health Foundation, Macon County Medical Reserve Corps, Macon County Mental Health Board, Richland Community College, and the United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois have partnered to develop and implement a community-wide effort to assist individuals and families in Macon County in preparing for emergencies/disasters.
For more information about the campaign please contact Shannon Comer at (217) 423-6988 extension 1131 or visit www.maconcounty-prepares.info. You can also visit us on MySpace and Facebook, just search for Macon County Prepares.