Illustration by Amanda Reed

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Taking safe steps

How many of you think you’ll be affected by a disaster?

And what are you doing to get ready for it?

According to a 2019 poll by the American Institute of CPAs, 61 percent of Americans think they’ll be affected by a natural disaster in the next three to five years—and only 34 percent had taken the first steps to prepare.

For our Fire/EMS section this year, the River Reporter has collected disaster-preparedness information, so you too can get started.

What do we need to do, no matter where we live? Click here: Ted Waddell has you covered.

In Pennsylvania, Owen Walsh looks at the disasters that are most likely to affect residents, and gives you tips on how to cope; click here for that story.

Our center spread (click here to view) gives you the all-important contact information, including which agencies cover what problem and how you reach them.

Then Ted has an interview with Sullivan County Fire Coordinator John Hauschild on how the county has coped in the past with disaster—and what people should do now. Click here to read that interview.

And finally, we have four pages of information: what to do about your kids? Your pets? (Click here for that information) What should you put in an emergency kit?—click here for some suggestions. Should you store food?

Now you have no excuse. Take those first steps. Be prepared.

Annemarie Schuetz

Section editor