In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, which serves six counties in West Virginia, is hosting a series of classes for its community throughout September.
Activities include:
- An amateur radio class teaching participants how to be an operator and offering a test at the end of the day for new licenses and upgrades.
- A Stop the Bleed class covering basic tourniquets.
- A weather spotter class training participants in identifying and reporting severe weather.
- A Step Up to a Healthy Life class teaching healthy lifestyle skills including nutrition and exercise.
- A day-long triage event.
“The best way to be prepared is to be healthy,” said Public Information Officer Amy Phelps. “We hope to get community more interested in and aware of being prepared. We want them to think about steps to better health.”
Planning for the events began in May. Promotion has included sharing on Facebook, through the local media, and through targeted ads in the local newspaper.
In thinking about how to plan successful preparedness activities, Phelps encourages others to “think about ways to connect with and enrich the community.”
