Los Alamos Police Department Emergency Management Cmdr. Bev Simpson accepts a proclamation declaring the Month of May as ‘Emergency Preparedness Month’ in Los Alamos County from Councilor David Izraelevitz on behalf of the Council at Tuesday’s County Council meeting in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladilypost.com

LAPD Emergency Management Cmdr. Bev Simpson, left, with Police Chief Dino Sgambellone at Tuesday’s County Council meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladilypost.com

Staff Report

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Los Alamos County Council presented a proclamation declaring the Month of May as “Emergency Preparedness Month” in Los Alamos County.

Councilor David Izraelevitz presented the proclamation on behalf of the Council to Los Alamos Police Department Emergency Management  Cmdr. Bev Simpson.

Proclamation: 

WHEREAS: State and local government emergency management officials have joined forces to declare the month of May “Emergency Preparedness Month”; and

WHEREAS:  the goal of “Emergency Preparedness Month” is to provide citizens with a variety of opportunities to learn more about emergency preparedness in their homes, businesses, and schools; and

WHEREAS: in light of emergency situations that have occurred here in Los Alamos, such as the Cerro Grande Fire in Los Alamos that occurred in May 2000 and the Las Conchas Wildfire in June 2011, we appreciate first-hand the role that emergency responders have in Los Alamos, and the need to educate the public about the importance of emergency planning, especially as we approach the time of year when wildfires may occur; and

WHEREAS: Emergency planning does not need to be an overwhelming task; it can be as fundamental as having an emergency kit in your home with up to three days of supplies, planning in advance what you and your family will do (or where you will go) in an emergency, staying informed about possible threats that could impact the community and understanding your appropriate response to them, and finally, being involved and ready to assist in a disaster – for example, learning first aid and CPR, or volunteering to work with the American Red Cross;

NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim the month of May as   

“EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH”

in Los Alamos County, and call upon our citizens to become better educated and informed about emergency preparedness activities in our community; and

FURTHERMORE, I encourage our citizens to make time this month to develop an emergency family plan and stock an emergency kit – these are two activities that will help keep families, friends and loved ones safe in the future, if an emergency situation ever arises.