WILLINGBORO, N.J. (September 4, 2009) -- In observance of National Preparedness Month in September, Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, in conjunction with the Burlington County Health Department, will host an informational program to promote emergency preparedness on Tuesday, Sept.15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the medical center's cafeteria, located at 218-A Sunset Road in Willingboro.

The program, which is open to the public, is designed to increase county residents' awareness and to encourage them to develop emergency plans and kits to equip their families to deal with such contingencies as severe weather, long-term power failures, pandemic illness, natural disasters and other potential emergency situations. The program display will feature essential items that every family should have as part of a disaster-readiness kit. Representatives from the Burlington County Health Department will be available to answer questions and supply checklists and other information to help citizens become better prepared.

Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, a 249-bed community hospital, is part of Lourdes Health System, which includes Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden. Lourdes Health System is sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y. and is a member of Catholic Health East, a health system with 34 hospitals in 11 eastern states. More information is available at www.lourdesnet.org and at www.che.org. Directions to Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County are available at www.lourdesnet.org/directions/lmcbc.php.