SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City Wants Hudson County Residents to be Prepared

Aug. 19, 2009 - PRLog -- HUDSON COUNTY, NJ -- SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is proud to be participating in the sixth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) in September.  Sponsored by the Ready Campaign, NPM is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families businesses and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies.

With that in mind, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City wants to help Hudson County residents be ready in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The local restoration service is joining with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to recognize National Preparedness Month, which takes place this September.  

"Natural disasters take many forms, and while they may be inevitable, they don't always have to be devastating," said Lance Harvey, owner of SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and Hudson County resident.  "By taking action now, Hudson County residents can potentially lessen the impact they experience from catastrophes.  Being prepared is the best defense one can have."  

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there were 75 declared disasters in 2008, which was a 19 percent increase from those reported in 2007. So far, in 2009, the Agency has recorded 42, and the number is expected to rise as hurricane season approaches the southeast.  

"Whether it's with a tornado, torrential rains or heavy snow, Mother Nature can wreak havoc at all times of the year, and oftentimes, the events can come without warning," said Harvey.  "That is why we are urging people to designate National Preparedness Month as a time to sit down with their families and make a plan."  

Harvey says that the following three action steps can help Hudson County-area families prepare for the worse:  

1.   Create an Emergency Supply Kit – Start by thinking about the basics for survival – fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. In addition, be sure to include a battery-powered radio (with extra batteries), flashlight, first aid kit, a can opener to open canned food, and a cell phone with chargers.
                                                                             
2.   Make a Family Emergency Plan – Your family may not all be together when a disaster strikes, so it is critical to establish an out-of-town contact to facilitate communication.  Also, when using cell phones, know that text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

3.   Be Informed – Visit your state and local government Web sites to learn about the particular emergency plans that have been established in your area. You can also download tools to better prepare your family for a disaster at www.ready.gov.  

"National Preparedness Month serves as a good reminder that we all have a responsibility in protecting ourselves, our employees, our families and our communities," said Harvey.   "Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives."  

Harvey goes on to add that even if a family has an emergency preparedness plan in place, this month is an ideal time to update it and make sure that all members of the family are familiar with its contents. In addition, Hudson County residents would be wise to make sure that a similar plan is in place at work.  

In the event of fire or water damage caused by a natural disaster, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City offers an assortment of services to help local residents quickly recover and restore any damaged property.  Within four hours of the initial notification, a SERVPRO Professional will be on-site to start the mitigation process.

For more information about the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov  or call
1-800-BE-READY.

For more information about SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and its events surrounding National Preparedness Month, please contact Jennifer Harvey at 201-805-7263.

About SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City
SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is a leading provider of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services.  SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is an independently owned and operated franchise that responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homes.  SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is an active member of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Hoboken Chamber of Commerce, Union City Chamber of Commerce, NJ Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (NJ-CAI), and the New Jersey Apartment Association (NJAA).