September is National Preparedness Month. The Health Department works year-round with City agencies, other partners, and volunteers to prepare for public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven the value of that planning and collaboration. 

Fortunately, the Health Department has more than 200 active volunteers, including members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT), who are trained and certified to help the Health Department respond to public health emergencies and assist with local health programs. ERT members and other community volunteers have played an essential role in City’s COVID-19 response efforts. For more information on the volunteer programs at the Health Department, visit here. 

While the Health Department, City officials, and our partners continue to prepare for and respond to emergencies, every Norwalker can take steps to prepare: make a plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed. For more information about these steps, visit here. One important way to get local information before, during, and after an emergency is the City’s Code Red Emergency Alert system, which will notify residents of severe weather warnings or other situations that could impact their safety, property, or welfare. Learn more and sign up for Code Red here. 

 For additional information: 

 Information and resources on how you can prepare for an emergency: Ready.gov

  Norwalk Health Department Public Health Emergency Preparedness Division: https://norwalkct.org/1339/Emergency-Preparedness

Photo Caption: Norwalk Health Department Emergency Response Team (ERT) members assist at the first Norwalk Health Department COVID vaccine clinic at Norwalk High School in December 2020. Pictured (l-r) ERT members Becky LeGette as a vaccination assistant, Sam Valencia as timer/flow monitor, and Joan Haddon, RN, inoculating a Norwalk first responder.