Nevada Governor Urges Citizens to Prepare for Any Emergency

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons encouraged citizens throughout the state to prepare for emergencies by building an emergency kit, developing a family response plan and ensuring they maintain access to communications networks during times of emergency.

“The ongoing earthquake swarm in the Mogul area west of Reno reinforces the need for every citizen to create a personal emergency plan,” Gibbons said. “By being prepared, citizens will be able to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property. By keeping and following a plan, citizens will help minimize the damage of any disaster and be better positioned to help their neighbors in their time of need.”

The governor’s comments came immediately following a briefing on the earthquake swarm by University of Nevada, Reno scientists and state and local emergency management officials on the UNR Campus. Earthquakes can happen anywhere in Nevada at any time, and the scientists were joined by emergency management officials in highlighting the need for individual safety plans.

“The people of Nevada should feel assured that the State will be there to help them should a major earthquake occur,” said Frank Siracusa, chief of the state division of emergency management. “We are working with local emergency managers on a daily basis to ensure all our plans are in line with the most current information. We plan and train for emergency scenarios on an ongoing basis, and the state is prepared to handle any emergency we are able to foresee.”

Emergency kits should include a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, medications, clothing, water, food and anything else that will be necessary to sustain a family for three to seven days. Individuals should also review their homes for hazards, such as unsecured water heaters and heavy objects topping shelves or bookcases.

Additional preparedness information can be found through the Nevada Seismological Laboratory at www.seismo.unr.edu.

Source: Office of the Governor of Nevada