Public Administration Division

Homeland Security

KIPDA is proud to announce its partnership with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security in establishing free training classes to individuals who would like to become better prepared in the case of a natural or man-made disaster. Simply log on to http://homelandsecurity.ky.gov/families/protectyourfamily/getinvolved.htm and locate the designated area for more information.

The KIPDA Regional Citizens Corps Council was established for the sole purpose of informing the citizens of the region to become better prepared. The Council is made up of individuals from both the public and private sector and meet quarterly to discuss issues directly related to family preparedness. Many of these individuals have devoted years in the field of preparedness.

2008 KIPDA Regional Citizens Corps Council Members

Here are some other things you can do right now to be safer!

• Check and change the batteries in your smoke alarms and replace all alarms that are more than 10 years old.
• Make sure you know where your local fire department, police station, and hospital are and post a list of emergency phone numbers posted near all the telephones in your home.
• Organize and practice a family fire drill -- make sure your children know what your smoke detector sounds like and what to do if it goes off when they are sleeping.
• Locate the utility mains for your home and be sure you know how to turn them off manually: gas, electricity, and water.
• Create an emergency plan for your household, including your pets. Decide where your family will meet if a disaster does happen: 1) right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire and 2) outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home -- ask an out of town friend to be your "family contact" to relay messages.
• Prepare a 3-day disaster supply kit, complete with flashlights, batteries, blankets, and an emergency supply of water and food (and pet food!).
• Plan to hold a Neighborhood Watch meeting -- your local Sheriffs' office or police station can help you get started or visit www.usaonwatch.org for more information.
• Check the expiration dates of all over-the-counter medications -- discard all that are expired and replace any that are routinely needed.
• Make sure all cleaning products and dangerous objects are out of children's reach.
• Plan to sign up for a first aid training course. Call your local American Red Cross chapter, the National Safety Council or American Safety & Health Institute to ask about courses in your area (www.redcross.org, www.nsc.org or www.ashinstitute.org).
• Visit with your neighbors and discuss how you would handle a disaster in your area. Talk to neighbors with special needs and help them become safer too!