The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and state and local government agencies are working hard to protect and keep our nation prepared for emergencies. September is National Preparedness Month and we have information for Georgia consumers from the Department of Homeland Security. Listed below are agencies consumers can contact. Listed below is information from the Georgia Department of Homeland Security on Document Management during a disaster.
Document Management to Minimize Disaster
From to hurricanes to wildfires and floods, disasters are a fact of life. None of us want to experience disasters first hand, but we should always be prepared to recover the unthinkable. One aspect of emergency planning that is often overlooked is document management.
How long would it take you to find copies of financial records, insurance documents, birth certificates and more if you had to evacuate at a moment's notice?
Putting together a Grab-and-Go Folder containing originals or copies of your important paperwork can help give you a piece of mind. Having these documents on hand through a disaster will help you get back on track if your possessions are damaged or you're forced to relocate after a storm. For added protection, store important documents in large plastic bags or other waterproof container. Here is a short list of documents you might consider gathering:
- Apartment or condo leases
- Home or other property deeds (mortgage, etc.)
- Estate documents
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance documents
- Wills
- Life insurance policies
- Inventory of possessions and their value
- Photos or video of your home and possessions
- List of important phone numbers
- Flood insurance documents
- Vehicle titles, leases, loan documents, etc.
- Financial statements (accounts, tax returns)
- Stocks and bonds
- Copies of recent bills (power, water, etc.)
- Government financial assistance award letters
- Birth certificates or proof of citizenship
- Social security cards
- Employment contracts or other legal documents
- Medical records, x-rays, benefits documents, etc.
- Education records (report cards, etc.)
- Passports
- Duplicate prescription from doctor
- Computer backup (on a CD, DVD, etc.)
- Paperwork for your pets (e.g. medical records)
- Copies of important keys
Rebuilding your life in the wake of a disaster is a daunting task. However, advanced preparation can go a long way toward making recovery easier. If you don't have your documents in order, there's no time like the present to get started. Once you have everything in its proper place, remember to update it. If you lack the time or energy to keep your files updated on an ongoing basis, schedule a yearly checkup and use it as an opportunity to put the latest version of everything into your files. Even the most well-organized disaster recovery materials will be of no use to you if they are out-of-date.
Consumer Contact Agencies:
Contact Information
Georgia Department of Homeland Security
PO Box 18055, Building 2
Atlanta, GA 30316-0055
(404) 635-7000
http://www.gema.state.ga.us
Local Information
Atlanta Police Department
675 Ponce de Leon Avenue, 9th Floor, NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-936-9947
Dekalb County Homeland Security
1625 Rock Mountain Boulevard, Suite Q
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(770) 270-0413
Fulton County Emergency Services Department
130 Peachtree Street SW, Suite 3147
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 730-7900
Georgia Emergency Management Agency
Office of Homeland Security
PO Box 18055
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 635-7000
1 (800) TRY-GEMA / 1(800) 879-4362
Citizen Corps
State of Georgia Citizen Corps
935 E. Confederate Ave
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 635-7238
Get Involved in Preparing your Community. Citizen Corps, Homeland Security's grassroots effort, localizes preparedness messages and provides opportunities for citizens to get emergency response training; participate in community exercises; and volunteer to support local first responders. To learn more and to get involved, contact your nearest Citizen Corps Council by visiting www.citizencorps.gov.