Get Healthy: 9/11 a time to renew readiness efforts

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

Today marks the 12-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93. That dark day was a turning point for our nation, and 9/11 and the other events that followed served as a wake-up call that we as Americans must be vigilant and prepared for emergencies.

Carson City Health and Human Services’ Public Health Preparedness Division wants to help Carson-area residents be prepared. They work daily with other city agencies, including the Fire Department and Emergency Management, to increase readiness in our community. They are excited to host a special event Saturday in celebration of Get Ready Day. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., representatives from all three city readiness agencies will be at the Home Depot on Market Street to distribute bags and basic supplies for readiness kits and to answer questions people may have about what to include in their kits. The Home Depot also will offer discounts on additional items for your kit. If you aren’t sure what you need in your kit, you can pick up a checklist at the event.

One of the most important aspects of community preparedness is having a team of trained, background-checked volunteers who are ready to respond in emergencies. Volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps and the Community Emergency Response Team will be present to help pass out supplies, answer questions and recruit for new volunteers for both organizations.

As Carson City joins with other communities across the nation today to look back on the tragic events that took place 12 years ago, don’t forget to also look forward, and to take steps to be prepared for emergencies — fires, floods, earthquakes, disease outbreaks and other disasters — that may come in the future.

For more information about other Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us at www.facebook.com/cchhs.

With preparedness in mind, don’t forget to be prepared for this year’s flu season. Flu vaccine is available in both Carson City Health and Human Services’ Long Street Clinic and at Douglas County Community Health in Gardnerville. Also, mark your calendars; our annual free flu vaccine drive-thru event will take place at the Carson City Corporate Yard on Butti Way in Carson City on Saturday, Oct. 5. We hope to see you there.