Park City leaders have declared September as National Preparedness Month and are encouraging Parkites to ensure they are ready for an emergency.
The resolution, adopted by the Park City Council on Thursday, coincides with a national push for Americans to ensure they are prepared in the event of an emergency. National Preparedness Month also coincides with the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
City Hall in recent years has widened its planning for an emergency, with the hiring of an emergency manager perhaps being the most notable development in the municipal government’s efforts. Hugh Daniels serves in the position. He works closely with the Park City Police Department and other emergency services.
In a report to Mayor Dana Williams and the City Council in anticipation of the resolution’s passage, Daniels said City Hall launched and continues to develop a campaign called Be Ready Park City.
“During times of severe emergencies and disasters, basic city services will be overwhelmed. It is inherent that all citizens and businesses be prepared to care for themselves and their neighbors until additional help is available,” Daniels wrote in his report to the elected officials.
Meanwhile, the resolution itself says National Preparedness Month “creates an important opportunity for every resident of Park City to prepare their homes, businesses and communities for any type of emergency including natural disasters and human caused emergencies.”
The resolution says preparing for an emergency is “the responsibility of every citizen of Park City and all citizens are urged to make preparedness a priority and work together, as a team, to ensure that individuals, families and community are prepared for disasters and emergencies of any type.”
Park City leaders say there are a series of emergencies that Parkites should be prepared to function through, including outbreaks, earthquakes, major snowstorms, wildfires and floods. Daniels and other emergency planners also list terrorism as an emergency that Park City could someday face.
The appearance of swine flu in the Park City area and the discoloration of drinking water in some neighborhoods are among the emergencies that City Hall has handled in recent years.