Guest blog entry by Ward 6 resident Chander Jayaraman on behalf of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA)

Dear neighbors:

What you would do if a major disaster such as a hurricane were to hit DC?

Many questions and concerns to your mind:  Do I have enough food and water?  Where would I get the latest information?  How would I get out if I needed to leave my home?  The list goes on and on.

Realizing that dealing with a disaster is challenging and sometimes frightening, the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) will provide District residents with the opportunity to learn what steps you and your family can take to prepare for a disaster, discuss and plan what your neighbors and community leaders can do to get ready and find out about the best routes to use if an evacuation is necessary.

Please attend an emergency preparedness community exercise.

Date:  Thursday, September 25
Time:  6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Old Naval Hospital located at 921 Pennsylvania Ave, SE

You can test your family plan and discuss how you and your neighbors could work together to ensure the safety of your neighborhood.  The exercise is free to all local residents, neighborhood leaders and representatives of community and civic organizations.

You can RSVP for the event online at www.dccommunitypreparedness.org or by calling Zach Martin at (202) 338-7158 x 212