How Does Your State Prepare For Emergencies?
When in the middle of a crisis, you don’t want to be digging for your important documents, putting together an emergency kit, and finding the phone numbers of helpful people. A stressful situation can be made easier when you have things prepared in advance. The same can be said for your local community when it faces a crisis. When national emergencies occur, there has to be a plan in place to react. Let’s take a look at the Officials Guide of Emergency Preparedness by the National Association of State Procurement Officials to learn how they prepare for emergency situations, but also how you can get involved.
Obviously, it’s not always practical to obtain approvals for products during an emergency - though it’s not impossible. A procurement representative would need to sign all required documents. The representative may be a long distance away from the location of the emergency so it can be challenging to get these expedited. This is what the NASPO says in their Emergency Preparedness Guide about obtaining prior approvals:
It is important that the State Procurement Office coordinate in advance with the Controller or other state finance officer regarding the formal requirements for commitment vouchers under emergency conditions and that a procedure is in place to ensure that all necessary documents for purchasing have the ability to be approved prior to impending emergency events.
They go on to say that the Procurement Office should maintain a current and centralized listing of prospective vendors who can supply specific emergency needs to the State. There are many different government groups that could be playing a part in supplying necessary emergency supplies, such as the Health Department, Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and the Strategic National Stockpile.
By being prepared to protect you and your communities' property, this should provide comfort, knowing that you have some tools for protection in place prior to flooding. If you are doing all that you can to minimize damages to your property, then you are in the top 10%.
We work closely with the Emergency Managers and Public Works Directors, in your area to help in the planning of deployment to optimize solutions for future floods.
From all of us at DRIPS LLC, exclusive United States manufacturer of the BIG BAGS USA® barrier systems, we want you to know our mission is to save lives, protect property and reduce human suffering. With strategies in place during your "action" stage, we can teach you how to defend roadways and property from any rising water. Big Bags USA® wants to be a part of your communities action plan. Contact your county officials today to let them know about our products.
Who Handles Emergency Situations
As a general rule, most incidents are handled locally. When an emergency occurs, a local response agency will respond. This can include the police, fire, and emergency medical services. There are times when a situation could escalate and impact other areas of the community, county, or state (weather related incidences apply, such as hurricanes and storms that cause flooding around a large area). Local entities will then contact their state EMA for assistance if additional resources are required.Who Buys Products for Emergencies?
Every state may have unique procedures, but emergency purchase requests are typically directed to the state EOC. From there, procurement office staff would assist. If they can’t fill the request, it could be referred to FEMA. Or it could even be routed to the State military Emergency Services Coordinator for processing.Obviously, it’s not always practical to obtain approvals for products during an emergency - though it’s not impossible. A procurement representative would need to sign all required documents. The representative may be a long distance away from the location of the emergency so it can be challenging to get these expedited. This is what the NASPO says in their Emergency Preparedness Guide about obtaining prior approvals:
It is important that the State Procurement Office coordinate in advance with the Controller or other state finance officer regarding the formal requirements for commitment vouchers under emergency conditions and that a procedure is in place to ensure that all necessary documents for purchasing have the ability to be approved prior to impending emergency events.
They go on to say that the Procurement Office should maintain a current and centralized listing of prospective vendors who can supply specific emergency needs to the State. There are many different government groups that could be playing a part in supplying necessary emergency supplies, such as the Health Department, Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and the Strategic National Stockpile.
Can You Make Suggestions?
Yes, the answer to this question is a strong yes. If you feel that a specific product would be beneficial to your area, it’s important for you to contact the representatives in your area and request that they look into that product.About Big Bags USA®
We are committed to your preparedness goals. In communities that are prone to flooding in the past, stockpiling of BIG BAGS USA® flood barriers in strategic locations can greatly reduce response time.By being prepared to protect you and your communities' property, this should provide comfort, knowing that you have some tools for protection in place prior to flooding. If you are doing all that you can to minimize damages to your property, then you are in the top 10%.
We work closely with the Emergency Managers and Public Works Directors, in your area to help in the planning of deployment to optimize solutions for future floods.
From all of us at DRIPS LLC, exclusive United States manufacturer of the BIG BAGS USA® barrier systems, we want you to know our mission is to save lives, protect property and reduce human suffering. With strategies in place during your "action" stage, we can teach you how to defend roadways and property from any rising water. Big Bags USA® wants to be a part of your communities action plan. Contact your county officials today to let them know about our products.
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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