Jefferson County EMA Officer Annette Davis speaks to the Gardendale Area Rotary Club last week.

Annette Davis believes in emergency plans.

Davis, a Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officer, spoke to the Gardendale Area Rotary Club Wednesday and encouraged everyone to create an emergency plan for their workplace.

Davis said four main areas are at risk during emergencies: Life, property, operations and environments.

“Think ahead. That’s all we’re urging you to do,” Davis said. “Be self-sustaining. Have a plan that will help you get through difficult times.”

Jefferson County has seen plenty of difficult times recently, with destructive tornadoes sweeping through in April 2011 and January 2012. Davis said the area is also susceptible to heavy flooding.

That is why she said businesses, as well as homes, need an effective communication plan and need to have disaster kits readily available. She also said it is crucial to exercise emergency plans before disasters strike.

“You never know where the gaps are until you practice it,” she said. “To have a plan … and have nobody familiar with it does you no good.”

It is also important to update the plan at least once a year, she added.

The EMA has templates for emergency plans available. Davis encourages businesses and individuals to contact the EMA for help, adding that more people have been calling her office for assistance with emergency plans after the April 2011 tornadoes.

“All it takes is tome strategic planning on your part,” she said. “It’s up to you to initiate that.”

To learn more, call the EMA at 328-9162.