Prepare, survive and thrive with Portage Prepares

One way to reduce anxiety and stress related to natural disasters is to be prepared. Portage County has launched a new local preparedness program through Portage County Commissioners and the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Visit Portage Prepares at www.co.portage.oh.us/portageprep to learn more about disaster preparedness in Portage County.

Portage Prepares is a county-wide, long-term education program for preparing the county’s communities to meet the challenges of weather, disasters, health emergencies and other types of incidents in order to be safe, reduce risks of injury and reduce property destruction.

Some of the links on the page include how to make a disaster safety plan, how to make a kit for evacuation, Ready.gov and FloodSmart.gov. There are links to download fact sheets about disasters that are relevant to Northeast Ohio.

Agencies and individuals collaborating with EMA and County Commissioners to develop and sustain the site include the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County, Portage County Health Department, City of Kent Health Department, Robinson Memorial Hospital, Portage County Information Technology Services, Media representative Bob Long, Dr. John Staley of the Kent State University College of Public Health, Portage County Township Trustees and Portage/Summit Chapters of the American Red Cross.