FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     Connecticut Department of Public Health

October 14, 2011                                                        Contact: William Gerrish

                                                                                    (860) 509-7270

Hartford – Would you know what to do if disaster strikes? The Department of Public Health (DPH) is asking Connecticut residents to consider this question and take steps to live prepared. 

DPH today announced the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness, a publication that provides important information about different types of emergencies, as well as the key steps people can take now to be prepared if a disaster hits. The guide, originally developed in 2005, was revised with updated information, including a section on pandemic influenza preparedness.

“This summer’s tropical storm was a harsh reminder of the importance of being prepared for an emergency,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “This guide can help people take steps now to protect themselves and their families if another crisis strikes our state.”

The guide provides important information about natural, biological, chemical, radiological and other types of emergencies. It details what individuals and families should do to be prepared, including how to make a plan and build an emergency supply kit. The guide is available in several languages.

The Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness is part of DPH’s “Learn to Live Prepared” educational campaign, which includes television, radio, print, transit and online advertisements. The campaign is funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC awarded Connecticut over $7.5 million this year to advance public health preparedness capabilities such as public health laboratory testing, public health surveillance and epidemiological investigation, community preparedness, medical countermeasure dispensing, responder safety and health, and emergency public information and warning.

The guide is available online at www.ct.gov/dph/prepare, or by contacting your local health department or DPH at (860) 509-7270.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state.  To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.

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