Emergency management leaders encourage community disaster preparedness

Johnson County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross hosted a Community Emergency Preparedness Event at Vienna High School in Illinois to help residents prepare for natural disasters. Coordinator Richard Marose and Red Cross program manager Linda Porter urged attendees to develop safety plans, stockpile supplies for 72 hours, and practice emergency procedures. The event highlighted community resources as natural disasters have increased nearly every year since 1990, making preparedness critical in rural areas where tornado sirens are not feasible.