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Throughout the summer, many people fly to new or familiar destinations to sightsee, explore, visit friends or family and enjoy the sunshine. It is important to be #SummerReady by preparing for hazards you may encounter during travels. You can do this by being aware of extreme heat risks, TSA guidelines, flight selections, travel insurance, travel delays and official weather forecasts.
July fourth is a time for fireworks, fun and food. As you enjoy gathering with friends and family, it’s important to stay mindful of potential hazards. Here are some ways you can stay safe during your July 4 celebrations.
A wildfire survivor worked with FEMA to recover.
Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. Some workers are disproportionately impacted by this type of weather, including farmworkers and farmers, fishers, firefighters and construction workers. Since 2011, more than 400 workers have died due to environmental heat exposure, and thousands more are hospitalized every year. As heat waves become more intense and frequent, outdoor workers should adjust their activities based on weather forecasts to minimize risks.
Your pet is an important member of your family. To make sure that your pet is as ready for a disaster as you are, you should include them in your emergency plan. This means knowing how you will evacuate them and gathering the supplies they will need before a disaster happens.
FEMA Region 8 recently partnered with North Dakota State University to engage students in the school’s Emergency Management program by tackling a series of disaster-related problems identified by FEMA staff. Below, North Dakota State University student Kayla Niedzielski shares more about her experience participating in FEMA’s Innovative Problem-Solving course.
FEMA Region 8 recently partnered with North Dakota State University to engage students in the school’s Emergency Management program by tackling a series of disaster response challenges identified by FEMA staff. Region 8 National Preparedness Division Continuous Improvement Coordinator Matt Burns helped facilitate FEMA courses for North Dakota State University. He shares more about his experience and how the students play a role in the future of emergency management.
When Frederick Douglass delivered his speech “What to the slave is the 4th of July?” in 1852 before the start of the Civil War, he laid bare the distance between the country’s founding ideals and the reality of life for millions of enslaved people. Thirteen years later, on June 19, 1865, 2,000 Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of both the Civil War and slavery to 250,000 people still in bondage.
Disasters can strike with little warning, leaving very little time for last-minute preparations. Many people are responsible for taking care of others, and for some people, that commitment extends to furry or four-legged friends like pets, wildlife and service animals. For livestock owners and caretakers, the challenges are even greater, as these animals often have unique needs that are more difficult to meet.
In celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month, we are taking time to honor Caribbean FEMA employees who help make our nation safer, stronger and more prepared.