County administrator Kirby M. Bowers emphasized the importance of communication, cooperation and education, in his "State of Emergency Planning and Preparedness" presentation Thursday, Nov. 17.
"Everyone has a role," Bowers said. "Board of Supervisors, the county administrator, county employees, residents, businesses."
BOWERS ADVISED RESIDENTS to plan ahead in case of emergency.
"I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being prepared," he said. "We must all take personal responsibility and be prepared to sustain ourselves for a minimum of three days in the event of an emergency."
Citizens should have a flashlight, battery-powered radio or television, a three-day supply of nonperishable food, one gallon of water per person for three days, medications, extra clothing and personal hygiene items, he said.
After the presentation, chairman of the board of supervisor’s public safety committee Jim Clem (R-Leesburg) expressed his concern about a mass evacuation in Loudoun County.
"We, as individuals, need to be ready in the case of an emergency," he said. "My biggest concern is a mass evacuation and how little prepared I think we are. Just look at rush hour. The traffic is a health and safety issue, ensuring people can get around."
Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York (I-At large) agreed.
"I just do not think we have the infrastructure to support it," he said.
Bowers emphasized the importance of citizen cooperation during an emergency.
"Citizens need to stay put and listen for instructions. We have to move equipment on the road. Have your radio, listen for instruction. The community is incredibly important, as we found out on Sept. 11, 2001. Citizen cooperation is incredibly important to make it work."
IN AN EFFORT to increase community awareness, the public safety committee has created a Web site with emergency preparedness information, tips and links to other useful Web sites. For more information about emergency preparedness, visit www.loudoun.gov.
"If more people had been prepared, the situation in New Orleans would have been a lot different," Clem said.