Preparing for an emergency

\"The goal of this is to get you thinking about it.” — Caroline McCourt, emergency preparedness coordinator

FAIRMONT -- September is known as National Preparedness Month and an event this week at the Martin County Library in Fairmont is helping people get prepared for emergencies.

Participants on Wednesday were equipped with kits and knowledge at the Building Your Emergency Preparedness Kit event, which was led by Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties Emergency Preparedness Coordinator/Community Health Planner, Caroline McCourt, and Martin County Emergency Management Director, Ben Johnson.

"You really have to know what you're planning for," McCourt said of putting together a kit.

During the presentation, McCourt asked participants to introduce themselves and explain why they wanted to attend the event and build an emergency preparedness kit. For reasons including being more educated in the community, protecting themselves and their families and other motivations, 11 people were present on Wednesday to learn to prepare for an emergency.

"When we're thinking of this ahead of time, it'll be in your head, so you can fall back and grab the kit."

"Another thing is to practice using the kit," added Johnson. "We call it muscle memory. Practice, so you can grab it without even thinking about it."

McCourt asked participants to identify emergency risks, such as severe weather, fires, floods, power outages or other situations in which preparing and using an emergency kit would be deemed necessary. After distributing the emergency preparedness kits, participants discussed actions to take in different types of emergencies.

"The goal of this is to get you thinking about it, start that planning process and point you in the right direction and resources," said McCourt.

The emergency preparedness kits, which were in a dry bag, included a flashlight, safety whistle, hygiene kit, mini first aid kit, antiseptic wipes, alcohol wipes, instant cold pack, blanket and an emergency informational pamphlet.

"It commonly depends on how you use the kit, your needs, your area and the environment," McCourt said regarding the emergency preparedness kit and the frequency of use.

She added that remaining calm during an emergency is very important, and explained that grounding, box breathing, naming feelings, positive thoughts and individual strategies can be effective in handling an emergency.

Based on participant questions and the variety of emergencies discussed, at the event, she shared she would be interested in collaborating with other professionals at future events to further explain information and how to be prepared in the face of specific emergencies.

"Increasing individual preparedness means increasing community preparedness," McCourt said. "There are many things that can't be controlled. But when you build your kit, you help increase the ability to respond."

The event will be held once more at 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Martin County Library in Fairmont.