ATLANTIC, IOWA – Cass County Public Health is offering a free program called Disaster PrepWise that guides older adults through the steps of creating a disaster plan to handle any type of emergency. This program is offered at no cost to older adults in the area. Victoria Means, Public Health Service Coordinator, says “Preparing for an emergency can seem overwhelming, and most people aren’t even sure where to begin. We work one-to-one with adults and couples to talk through different scenarios and potential problems, and then we’ll work together to create a personalized plan on how to navigate the emergency if it should arise.”

Developed by researchers at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, Disaster PrepWise consists of five modules and two additional sections on special topics. Participants will develop a personalized disaster management plan that they can share with their family, friends, and neighbors. Means says “We’ll start with a personal and household assessment, which means we’ll talk with you about what’s unique to you both in terms of risks and assets. From there, we work on developing emergency information, important documents, supply kits, and more.”

Additionally, part of the planning assistance is making sure individuals are signed up to receive Alert Iowa messages. Alert Iowa is a communication tool used to inform the public about inclement weather, public safety events, or other emergencies.

The planning sessions will take place at Cass County Public Health, 1408 East 10th St., Atlantic, Iowa, unless otherwise arranged. While the planning is typically geared towards individuals or couples, small groups can also be accommodated. Please call Victoria Means at (712) 243-7443 with questions or to schedule a disaster planning session.