The Chester County commissioners issued a proclamation acknowledging September as National Preparedness Month, with the overarching message to be prepared for any kind of emergency.

The proclamation, signed by Commissioners Josh Maxwell. Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe, states that "investing in the preparedness of ourselves, our families, businesses, and communities can reduce fatalities and economic devastations in our communities" and encourages every resident of Chester County to "make preparedness a priority."

Chester County's "Public Preparedness Guide" - accessible at http://www.chesco.org/prepguide - contains information on how to prepare for all types of disasters and emergencies, from severe weather and school safety issues to hazardous materials and active shooters. The guide includes how to make an emergency plan for a family, older people, those with disabilities, and pets, as well as what to have in an emergency preparedness kit.

The "Preparedness Guide" also defines various emergency alert systems and when they are used. ReadyChesCo is the information and warning system Chester County's Department of Emergency Services uses to provide emergency notifications via phone, email, or text. All Chester County residents are encouraged to sign up for ReadyChesCo, which is free and customizable, or review and update existing information by going to http://www.readychesco.org.

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for additional alert systems like Smart911, available at http://www.smart911.com. Smart911 lets residents provide all important medical, family, and household information to emergency responders to better help them communicate during an emergency.

Staff members from Chester County's Department of Emergency Services will be at several events in September and October - including West Caln's Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 7, and the Warwick Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 - to provide information about emergency preparedness, ReadyChesCo, and Smart911.