Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
By Emily ThompsonU of A System Division of Agriculture
Sept. 14, 2018
Four steps to emergency preparedness
Fast Facts:
(669 words)
Download MS Word version
Download related PHOTOS from Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHsms1Yrvy
LITTLE ROCK —Hurricane Florence is not projected to directly impact Arkansas, but as the storm makes its way to the east coast of the U.S., it serves as a reminder to make sure your family is prepared for emergencies.
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Throughout the month, FEMA encourages households to create an action plan in case emergency strikes.
“It is actually fairly simple for a family to be prepared for an emergency,” said Ashley Dingman, MyPI Arkansas Coordinator and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Associate.
The MyPI program, or the My Preparedness Initiative, teaches teens disaster preparedness skills.
Dingman said getting a household ready for an emergency can be boiled down into four steps.
“First, get a kit of emergency supplies ready and make sure the kit is maintained,” Dingman said. The kit should contain enough supplies to sustain a family for at least three days and be kept in a safe, easily accessible location.
Kit staples include non-perishable food, battery powered radio, batteries and flashlights. The emergency kit should also include one gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and sanitation. Be sure to consider your family’s unique needs when making an emergency kit. Include any prescription medications, baby supplies or important documents your family might need.
The second step is to develop a communication plan. When an emergency occurs, your family might not all be together.
“Consider a plan where each family member contacts the same friend or relative in the event of any emergency,” Dingman said. “This way, no one gets confused during a stressful time.”
Dingman also said that in certain emergency situations it is easier to receive long distance calls than local ones, so having an out-of-town contact might be a good option.
Families should also formulate a getaway plan. Pick several locations in different directions so you have multiple viable options if you need to evacuate. Be sure to know the emergency policies of the schools and workplaces for each family member. These policies could affect your getaway and communication plans.
The third step is to stay informed.
Dingman said some emergencies, like certain weather events, are known about in advance. In that case, implement your communication and getaway plan.
But some emergencies occur with no warning.
“We all know that there is the potential for manmade disasters and in those cases, you have to be informed about the specific threat before you can act,” Dingman said. “FEMA suggests visiting www.ready.gov to learn more about potential manmade emergencies and how to adapt that information to your area.”
The fourth and final step to emergency preparedness is to get involved in your community.
“After preparing your immediate family, take the next step and get involved in helping to prepare your community. If your community is better ready to handle an emergency – both natural and manmade – then your family will be better equipped,” Dingman said.
The MyPI program puts an emphasis on community disaster preparation. As part of the 5- to 10-week course, teens create emergency kits for their family and six other households. They will also become Community Emergency Response Team certified.
MyPI is currently offered in six counties and Dingman plans to expand into more counties. By July of 2019, Arkansas will have graduated 125 MyPI students who will have 875 emergency supply kits for their communities.
Recommended supplies for a basic emergency kit
For more about emergency preparedness, visit, https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/emergency-preparedness.aspx. For more information about the MyPI program, contact your local county extension agent.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Contact: Mary HightowerDir. of Communication ServicesU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service(501) 671-2126mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links