2-year effort aims to prepare 500,000 Ohioans for emergencies

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The American Red Cross and Columbia Gas have launched a new effort aimed at getting more Ohioans ready for fires, floods and other emergencies.

The two-year initiative seeks to prepare a half- million Ohio residents by making emergency plans, building kits or getting trained ahead of disasters.

The effort was announced Thursday at a news conference. The state’s Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and Public Safety Director John Born were among those scheduled to attend.

Red Cross volunteers and Columbia Gas employees also joined Columbus firefighters to help install smoke alarms and deliver preparedness materials in Columbus.

According to the state fire marshal’s office, fires killed 15 children in Ohio last year and have claimed at least 11 young lives in just the first two months of 2015.