Benevilla announces the creation of an emergency preparedness section on its website, complementing the recent “Community Summit on Emergency Preparedness.”

This summit brought together local residents for an educational forum aimed at enhancing the readiness of the senior community in the event of an emergency. The event featured experts in emergency management, health and safety who shared insights and strategies for improving resilience and preparedness in the face of potential emergencies and disasters.

Speakers from the American Red Cross, Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council, Arizona Public Service, Banner Health and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health delivered important presentations. To extend the reach of the information shared during the summit, the new website section will provide ongoing information and support to the community on emergency preparedness. This includes videos from the summit, articles on various topics such as preparing an emergency kit, staying informed during an emergency and tips on staying safe during heat emergencies.

Additionally, links to essential local and national resources related to emergency preparedness are provided. The content can be accessed at benevilla.org/emergency.

Highlights of the summit included:

1. Emergency Scenarios: Guidance on handling various emergency scenarios, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies and cybersecurity threats.
2. Collaboration: Relationship building and identifying avenues for ongoing collaboration in emergency preparedness efforts.
3. Innovative Technologies: Introduction to new technologies and tools for enhancing emergency response capabilities. From mobile apps for real-time communication to advanced forecasting systems, participants learned about innovative solutions to bolster resilience in the face of evolving threats.
4. Empowerment and Resilience: Emphasis on the importance of empowerment and resilience at the individual, family, and community levels. By equipping participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and resources, the event aimed to help them proactively prepare for and respond to emergencies with confidence.

“We are thrilled to share this valuable information on our website,” said Joanne Byers, Benevilla president and CEO. “These resources allow us to extend the reach of our experts’ advice and strategies, ensuring more community members can benefit from the knowledge and tools needed to stay safe and resilient.”

The summit, as well as additional community education resources, was supported by a grant from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Benevilla partnered with a coalition of local nonprofits, volunteer agencies and municipalities in the Northwest Valley over the past year to plan for emergencies that may affect seniors in the area. The coalition built connections among these agencies that will prove beneficial in the event of a widespread emergency while amplifying and sharing the preparedness messages of local and national emergency authorities, such as FEMA.

Call 623-584-4999 or visit benevilla.org for more information.