WEST WINDSOR, NJ – A spate of natural disasters, from the Maui wildfires to Hurricane Idalia, has inspired volunteers at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) to educate the community on the importance of being prepared, even if that means evacuating their homes on a moment’s notice.

In recognition of September as National Emergency Preparedness Month, on Saturday, Sept. 16, MCCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) will be assembling and distributing more than 200 “go bags,” a short-term kit that contains essentials – such as food, water, and medical supplies – that can be easily located and transported in the event of an emergency evacuation.

According to Marvin Carter, DEI director at MCCC, fewer than one third of Americans have a go bag packed in preparation of a disaster or emergency, and most have never developed a family emergency plan. He said families in marginalized communities are disproportionately affected in these emergency situations.

“Emergency preparedness is a team sport, but I would venture further to say it is a community's act of compassion,” Carter said. “At MCCC it was always the goal to connect to the community, and what better way of doing that than making sure families are prepared.”

In addition to preparing and distributing go bags, MCCC will be offering emergency preparedness education that includes Stop the Bleeding and CPR training, given by MCCC Nursing faculty and students, as well as guidance on how to respond to various crisis scenarios from FEMA and local and state police departments. The Hudson County Emergency Response Mobile Command Center will also be available for tours. Other sponsors include The College of New Jersey, Princeton University-Athletics, YWCA-Princeton, Aetna and the MCCC Foundation.

The MCCC Emergency Preparedness Month Program will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Cafeteria on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.

Go bags will be distributed on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, and from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at MCCC’s James Kerney Campus, 102 North Broad Street, Trenton. Due to limited supplies, only one bag per family. Pick up instructions and event details will follow after completing an online form, to be filled out by the family member responsible for picking up the bag.

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About Mercer County Community College
Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College is a publicly supported comprehensive institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy. The scenic 292-acre West Windsor Campus was opened in 1972 to serve the needs of Mercer County residents. MCCC’s James Kerney Campus, located in downtown Trenton, serves as an educational and cultural hub for city residents that meets the changing needs of thousands of students and community members seeking educational fulfillment and personal and career growth. President: Deborah E. Preston, Ph.D.; www.mccc.edu

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