With a third round of severe winter storms blowing into the state, Kansas Division of Emergency Management officials are reminding Kansans to take precautions individually.
“Winter storms can bring power outages and treacherous driving conditions,” said Maj. Gen. (KS) Lee Tafanelli, director of KDEM and Kansas adjutant general. “Now is the time to make sure you have everything you need to be self-sustaining in case power goes out in your area and roads become impassable.”
Tafanelli said preparations should include making sure you have a safe alternate heat source; plenty of blankets; flashlights and batteries; battery operated radio; medications, nonperishable foods and food that can be prepared without heat, enough bottled water to last at least three days. For those who have a gasoline generator, they should make sure it is in working order and that there is plenty of fuel on-hand.
“If you’re traveling, make sure your car has an emergency kit, plenty of gas and your cell phone is charged,” said Tafanelli. “It’s a good idea to establish a calling network to check up on friends and family at regular intervals just to make sure everyone is okay.”
KDEM is also making the necessary preparations to assist counties should local resources become overwhelmed.
“We’re working closely with the National Weather Service and county emergency managers and are ready to provide state support should it be necessary,” Tafanelli said.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management coordinates with county emergency managers to allocate state emergency response resources when counties have exhausted their own resources. These resources come from a number of state agencies including the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services. Support may include providing generators for organizations which provide life safety (hospitals, nursing homes), transportation of emergency and medical employees to their place of work, health-and-welfare checks, search and rescue missions, opening armories as warming centers, and other assistance as necessary.
The Kansas National Guard receives mission taskings for emergency response through KDEM. During past weather-related emergencies, Kansas Guardsmen have transported generators, assisted with debris removal from public roadways, conducted health-and-welfare checks and delivered feed to livestock stranded in the fields by heavy snows.
“Missions like these are one of the primary reasons we wear the uniform,” said Tafanelli. “I’ve talked to a number of Guardsmen over the years who say this is just the kind of mission they like to do because they’re serving their friends and neighbors in a practical way.”
Post By Sharon Watson