National Preparedness Month and the Many Ways that Certified Professionals Can Help Businesses and Institutions Plan Ahead

Since 2004, National Preparedness Month (NPM), has been observed each September in the United States. It is organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which teams up with Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Ready Campaign and other partners. The month of recognition is designed to raise awareness and promote action surrounding emergency preparedness among citizens, businesses, and communities.
 
Following last year’s devastating and costly hurricane and wildfire seasons, the theme for the 2018 NPM is, appropriately, Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.  These disasters may include everything from hurricanes, wildfires, tornados, earthquakes, and floods to hazardous materials incidents and biological or radiological threats.  
 
“If a natural or manmade disaster occurs, the resources of public agencies are often quickly overwhelmed,” said Jeffrey Miller, PhD, CIH^® and Chair of ABIH^®. “This is one of the many reasons why it is so critical for organizations and businesses to have a plan and people in place who are trained to handle and respond to such situations. The industrial hygiene community and Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH^®), in particular, are well-versed in identifying, preventing, and responding to many of these situations. This is due to their unique skill set and ability to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control a wide range of chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic stressors. The expertise of Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEP^®) and Environmental Professionals In-Training (EPI), with their broad understanding of environmental issues, can also be instrumental when preparing for, or responding to, many types of emergencies and natural disasters.”
 
To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene^®, the Certified Industrial Hygienist^® credential, or to locate a CIH^® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org, email abih@ABIH.org , or call (517) 321-2638. For inquiries regarding the QEP^® or EPI designations, please visit www.ipep.org, email ipep@ipep.org , or call (517) 853-5766.
 
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ^®
Since 1960, ABIH^®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH^® is the premier credentialing body responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance, and ethics enforcement. Currently, more than 6900 people in 32 countries are certified to use the CIH^® credential. ABIH^® also administers the QEP^® credential for established environmental practitioners and the EPI designation for early-career practitioners.
 

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