Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The County of Ventura is continuing its commitment to educating residents and improving operations during a disaster by taking part in a nationwide coordinated effort to encourage individuals, families and organizations to be prepared for disasters. Throughout September, as part of National Preparedness Month, Ventura County government employees will be participating in voluntary American Red Cross training and completing a survey to measure their level of personal preparedness in the event of a disaster. Ventura County employees are the focal point this year to help ensure that public safety and other government services will be able to continue to deliver essential operations following a major disaster.

Questions in the survey address the need for emergency supply kits, family communication plans, evacuation routes, local hazards and where to get information during a disaster. Cynthia Elliott, Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in charge of the County’s campaign advises, “The survey will enable us to measure the level of preparedness for County of Ventura employees. If employees are prepared at home, they will be more likely to report to work, during a disaster, knowing that their families are safe.”

All Ventura County employees are Disaster Service Workers. As Disaster Service Workers, the role of County employees includes: “Reporting to work and being prepared to assist in an emergency as assigned by their supervisor, including activities that are outside their normal scope of work. Employees who cannot get to work after a disaster, due to road closures or similar complications, may report to the closest government office to volunteer their assistance.” In addition to the survey, County of Ventura employees have been provided templates for developing family communications plans and emergency supply kits.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is encouraging other employers to do similar planning with their employees and take measures to help employees be prepared at home work and school. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count. When you are ready, Ventura County is ready too!

For more information on National Preparedness Month, please visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.ready.gov.