This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by Carolanne Korolowicz, Arlington-based Realtor and Arlington resident. If you would like to work with Carolanne in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. Metro area, you can reach her directly at [email protected].

The 24/7 media circuit constantly reports national and worldwide emergencies and natural disasters. Arlington has had its fair share of emergencies over the decades, but there is a tendency when these disasters are in far-away lands to think – “that won’t ever happen here.” The reality is that emergency situations can happen at any time, to anyone. Rather than viewing from a place of fear, FEMA and other government agencies encourage this to be approached with proactivity.

Since 2004, September has been National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme is “Americans Stand Ready.” Reflecting on what makes our nation strong – unity, resilience and resourcefulness– the goal is for every American to take the proactive steps necessary to protect themselves, households and communities when disaster strikes. There are three pillars to this year’s goal:

• Americans stand ready to uphold our patriotic duty: When individuals are prepared and self-reliant, we can bolster the work our brave first responders do to help people on their worst day.
• Americans stand ready to protect our family and friends: We know best how to keep our loved ones safe when things go wrong.
• Americans stand ready to help our communities: Taking a proactive approach to get your community ready contributes to the nation’s resilience.

Ready.gov has created easy to follow graphics and resources to help prepare for an emergency, including when someone in the household or neighborhood may have disabilities, small children, elderly members, medical/dietary restrictions, or pets. The beginning steps to prepare a household are not complicated, but crucial if an event occurs. Here are easy ways to get started:

Sign up for Alerts: FEMA has a free mobile app that will send alerts and updates when an emergency strikes. Staying on top of what is happening allows for real-time decision making.

Safeguard Documents: Keep vital documents and policy information in a fireproof, waterproof, or bank deposit box. Consider sending copies to trusted family or friends. For electronic documents, secure on a flash/hard drive.

Know Your Home Insurance Policy: Do not assume “everything” is covered under your insurance plan. Research your policy and how to file a claim. Talk to your service provider if you think additional coverage (i.e. flood or earthquake) is necessary.

Secure Your Property:  Consider items in your home that may need repair or replacement. Powerlines, trees, outdoor structures, and furniture are all items that could cause danger during a natural disaster.

Emergency Kit: Creating in-home, in-car and in-work emergency kits are great ways to quickly act when time is of the essence. There are great checklists that make preparing easy, including ideas for individual circumstances (specific medical supplies, infant formula/bottles, pet food, etc.). There are also inexpensive ways to gather a majority of these items– yard sales, buy-nothing groups or thrift stores.

CERT Training: Join the Arlington Community Emergency Response Team. This volunteer group is an amazing way to help community members and first responders during crisis situations. The county provides free, in-person certification classes multiple times throughout the year. Training consists of eight classes, over four weeks. Previous situations where CERT volunteers made an impact in Arlington include passing out ice to residents during power outages, clearing snow off fire hydrants, and setting up food & water stations for first responders.

It is always hard to feel fully prepared for the unexpected, but knowledge and proactiveness are the necessary tools when facing an emergency. For more helpful tips and information visit Arlington’s Public Safety Communications & Emergency Management Department’s website.