“The world is a scary place.”
That’s why Jessica Roeming wants her family to be prepared for any emergency that comes their way.
Roeming was one of several parents who attended Ready Camp class at Roosevelt High School. Taught by emergency preparedness experts from the City’s Emergency Management Department, the class gives community members basic skills to prepare for emergencies such as severe storms, disruptive cyberattacks, and other unexpected events.
“I have a 3-year-old, and there’s more to consider than before,” said Roeming. “So, yeah, just wanting to be prepared.”
About Ready Camps
Ready Camp helps prepare the entire community for disasters by promoting awareness, readiness, and resilience. The program strengthens community connections and educates individuals about practical tools to reduce the risk of injury, loss of life, and property damage during emergencies.
The Emergency Management Department recently updated the class format from a full-day event with multiple speakers to consolidating the most important content into a 90-minute session. The next Ready Camp is held June 1.
“Programs like Ready Camp are essential to building a more resilient Minneapolis,” said Outreach Coordinator Patrick Ingram, City of Minneapolis Emergency Management Department. “Ready Camp is a valuable initiative that equips community members with the knowledge and skills needed to better prepare for emergencies and disasters.”
The program, offered in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, covers the basics of emergency preparedness, like:
- Knowing what number to call in an emergency and what information to tell responders
- Signing up for emergency alerts on your cell phone
- Having a “go bag” with essential supplies like a blanket, snacks, a flashlight and a first aid kit
- Knowing how to shut off your electricity and gas at your home
- Creating an emergency checklist
Preparing for emergencies
John Ford, who also attended the class, says learning about the most common preparedness topics was especially helpful for proactively preparing for an emergency.
“Just interested in general preparedness to keep my family safe and my community safe,” said Ford. “It's, of course, much easier to do the preparation and to think about it ahead of time instead of being in a reactive position when a disaster or emergency strikes.”
Clarissa Herman, who came to Minneapolis for the class, says learning strategies to stay prepared helps her feel more confident.
“You can just get a lot further ahead and be able to keep your cool. I have a toddler, and so knowing that if I'm ready and calm, my toddler can be calm if we have to deal with a disaster.”
Ready Camp classes are taught at different City locations throughout the year. The classes are open to all and offered free of charge. Visit the website to learn more.