Contact: (Fill in your Department PIO’s name and phone number)

Severe Weather Poses Threat to (Your Town/City) Residents

(Your Town/City), (DATE) – According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Americans live in the most severe weather-prone country on Earth. The (Your Town/City) Fire Department says that here in (Your Town/City), residents are at risk from (fill in the severe weather in your area, such as hurricane, flooding, etc.) and should take steps now to protect themselves.

The Home Safety Council, a national organization devoted exclusively to preventing home injuries, offers the public free advice to help increase safety during and after a severe weather emergency. Checklists and tips can be downloaded from the Council’s Web site at www.homesfetycouncil.org.

The (Your Town/City) Fire Department and the Home Safety Council urge you to:

• Develop a disaster plan. Talk with your family to plan ahead for an emergency and work out what needs to by done and by whom.
• Know where you’ll go. Decide ahead of time how to get out of town and learn all routes in case some are blocked.
• Agree to follow evacuation advice. Obey the local authority’s evacuation call – if you are asked to go it is in order to prevent injuries and save lives.
• Know whom to call. Memorize phone numbers if possible and keep a written list in your wallet and at work. Keep important insurance and other papers in a bank safe-deposit box. Consider keeping a spare ATM or credit card in the box or with a trusted family member.
• Know how you’ll contact family. In an emergency, phone lines may be down and circuits and cell phone systems may be over-loaded. Plan a family/friend calling “tree” that makes it possible for each person to make only one or two calls.
• Keep a battery-operated radio and fresh batteries on hand. It is essential that you stay on top of weather and official reports.
• Put together a disaster supplies kit. In addition to the radio and batteries, keep extra food, water, medical and emergency supplies on hand, and portable.
• Plan for children and older adults. Keep very young children and older adults in mind and plan ahead to solve any special needs.
• Remember your pets. Plan how and where you will take your pets in an emergency. Keep pet carriers, leashes and a spare bottle of water where you can easily get to them.

“Planning ahead is the best defense against a severe weather emergency,” said (Your spokesperson) with the (Your Town/City) Fire Department. “By spending a few minutes planning now, you can safeguard your family later.”