Open house helps with disaster readiness

Does your family have an emergency plan in place? What's in your kit? Do you have three days of food and supplies? Will you stay at home (shelter in place) or go someplace else? These are questions every family should ask themselves. Take the time now to decide how your family will survive an unexpected disaster - before it happens.

In recognition of September's National Preparedness Month, the McHenry County Medical Reserve Corps will host an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at the McHenry County Department of Health, 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Annex A, in Woodstock.

The theme is "Family Preparedness." MRC members will demonstrate the types of items included in an emergency kit, with checklists provided for planning your own kit. Giveaways and sample emergency supplies will be available, while supplies last. Refreshments will be served.

The Medical Reserve Corps is a partner program with Citizen Corps which is dedicated to hometown security. By working with preparedness, response, public health and other partners on an ongoing basis, local MRC volunteers become a part of the local response team. Volunteers - both medical and nonmedical - are needed to strengthen McHenry County's ability to respond to natural disasters, emergency health events and acts of bioterrorism.

Get a kit; make a plan; be informed. For more information, call Liz Hackett at (815) 334-4932 or visit mcdhprepare.info.