For the Eastern Carolina Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (EHCPC), being ready is part of the job.
“What we have here is our field communications support truck,” said Matt McMahon, disaster services specialist with EHCPC. “This is essentially the heartbeat of our mobile field hospital.”
From trucks that double as mobile hospitals to coordinating evacuations or the deployment of medical supplies, the coalition remains on standby for when emergencies strike or networks go down.
“So, if a hospital loses communication, whether it be phone, radio or internet, we can come and support them,” McMahon said.
The coalition provides a critical line of support, whenever and wherever it’s needed most. As they prepare for hurricane season, they want you to do the same.
“We want people to be prepared, and starting a hurricane kit is the first step in doing so,” said Chris Starbuck, health care preparedness coordinator for EHCPC.
A basic kit includes important items, like water, food and other supplies to last several days. Ready.gov is a federal government website with helpful information about how to properly prepare for a hurricane. Creating a plan that meets the specific needs of your household and building an emergency kit that contains at least 72 hours’ worth of supplies can help you stay adequately prepared for a natural disaster like a hurricane.
“Put all your important documents together – marriage certificates, birth certificates, wills,” Starbuck said.
Another item for your hurricane prep checklist – help others plan, too.
“Work with your neighbors, your communities, churches, because if we can prepare them, we can make a more resilient community overall,” Starbuck said.
Resources
Hurricanes can form quickly. Take the time now, before a hurricane impacts our region, to educate yourself on how to prepare and respond. Below are helpful links for federal and state websites:
- Ready.gov – Hurricane Information
- Ready.gov – Make a Plan
- Ready.gov – Build a Kit
- ReadyNC.org
- ReadyNC.org – Emergency Alerts
- ReadyNC.org – Evacuation Routes
- ReadyNC.org – Know Your Zone
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