Stafford, VA. In recognition of National Preparedness Month in September, the Stafford Sheriff’s Office urges all citizens to prepare for disasters and emergencies well before they happen.

“This is a great opportunity to put together an emergency plan for your family so that everyone knows how to contact each other and reconnect if they are separated,” said Stafford Sheriff David Decatur. “Taking the time now to organize a disaster kit with canned food, medicines, batteries, flashlights and anything else your family may need to sustain itself for several days without help from outside sources is also important.”

National Preparedness Month is a campaign of the Department of Homeland Security designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. The Sheriff’s Office works closely with the Department of Homeland Security throughout the year on several initiatives to keep Stafford citizens informed on safety risks before, during and after emergencies and disasters. In August, the Sheriff’s Office launched its Shield Program, a two-way information sharing program that provides information to citizens on emerging crime trends, community events and evolving terrorist threats that may impact Stafford County.

Citizens can enroll in the Shield Program by registering for the department’s first Citizens Homeland Security Course that will take place on Saturday, September 15, 2018. The class will teach participants how to spot and report suspicious activity. The training will also educate them about current threats facing the nation.

Applications for the Citizens Homeland Security Course are due by September 7, 2018. Registration is free. For additional information and/or to be considered for the class, please contact Sgt. Jason Forman at 658-4934 or at JForman@staffordcountyva.gov.

For more information on the Shield program, visit the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office website at www.staffordsheriff.com and click on the Homeland Security tab. For information on National Preparedness Month, visit https://www.ready.gov/september.