Emergency Preparedness

If you’ve seen the news recently, you know that emergencies can happen at any time. Across the country we’ve seen tornado outbreaks, river floods and flash floods, earthquakes, water main breaks and power outages in affecting millions of people for days at a time.

The City of Bowie plans, practices and responds to a variety of emergencies each year. Help us to keep you safe by taking responsibility for your own personal preparedness.

Start now to prepare and plan for what you would do in the event you had to go for three days without electricity, water service, and access to a supermarket.

Just follow these three steps:

1. Get a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and those in your care – water, non-perishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, battery-powered radio. For a checklist of supplies visit Ready.gov.

2. Make a Plan: Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. For sample plans, see Ready.gov. Work together with neighbors, homeowners association, colleagues and others to build community resilience.

3. Be Informed: There's all sorts of free information available. You can find preparedness information at Ready.gov or at any of the websites listed under resources on the menu to the left.

4. Know how you will get information before, during and after an emergency.See City of Bowie Emergency Communications.

Police, fire and rescue may not always be able to reach you quickly, particularly if trees and power lines are down or if they're overwhelmed by demand during an emergency. The most important step you can take in helping your local responders manage an emergency is to be able to take care of yourself and those in your care until help can arrive. The more individuals are prepared, the quicker the community will recover.

This information has been gathered from Federal Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross and Prince George’s County Government publications and websites. It is the most current information available at this time. However, please note that the Federal Government and other agencies continue to refine the emergency preparedness advice being given to residents. For the most up-to-date information, contact the City of Bowie or visit the websites listed under resources.

City of Bowie publications:

Emergency Operations Plan
Dollars & $ense - Free and low-cost ways to be better prepared for any emergency

For more information:

Alan Creveling, Emergency Management Resources Coodinator
301-809-3079 or email acreveling@cityofbowie.org

Una Cooper, Communications Coordinator
301-809-3032 or email ucooper@cityofbowie.org