Emergency Preparedness and Response - Supervisor Dave Cortese

As the Santa Clara County is continuing preparations to respond to any natural disaster or other emergencies, here is a list of ways that you can do at home to prepare your family to be ready.

10 Ways You Can Be Disaster Prepared (Click on the links to learn more; Courtesy of the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services)

Learn which kinds of natural and human-caused disasters pose a risk for your area (earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.).
Develop a Family Disaster Plan and put it in writing.
Build Disaster Supply Kits for your home, office, and car.
Choose an out-of-town contact person whom family members may call to report how and where they are during an emergency.
Know where to go during an emergency; designate a park, school or other convenient location.
Prepare your children and remember those with special needs, such as infants, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Include your pets in your Family Disaster Plan.
Eliminate hazards in your home and office.
Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe by taking first aid, CPR and other preparedness classes.
Get involved -- donate blood, educate your neighbors, and join your local Citizen Corps and volunteer!

Be Prepared for the H1N1 Flu!

Vaccination is the best way to keep people from the serious effects of the flu. The H1N1 vaccine was developed the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine and is safe. There is not enough of the vaccine to vaccinate everyone at once, however, more shipments are expected to arrive each week and the County is expecting to have enough of the vaccine to give it to everyone who wants it eventually.

Please consider getting your vaccine, especially if you are in one of the high-risk groups. The high-risk groups include:

pregnant women,
people who live with or care for infants under 6 months of age,
healthcare and emergency medical workers,
children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and
adults between the ages of 25 and 64 who have a medical condition that puts them at risk for flu complications.

If you are unable to receive the H1N1 vaccine from your doctor or regular medical provider, the County is hosting vaccination clinics for people in the high risk groups. For more information and a schedule of the clinics, click here.

For more information on the H1N1 flu as well as the seasonal flu, visit http://www.sccphd.org.

Remember that the H1N1 vaccine doesn't replace the seasonal flu vaccine; you should get both!