Governor Perdue declares Georgia’s support; Ready Georgia provides tools to mobilize citizens to prepare for disaster

(ATLANTA) September marks the 5th Annual National Preparedness Month, and Ready Georgia is reminding Georgians that it is the perfect time to prepare for emergencies. Governor Sonny Perdue proclaimed September as Preparedness Month in Georgia, and Ready Georgia, a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, is encouraging Georgians to plan, prepare and stay informed about potential threats during the national observation.

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America campaign, is a nationwide effort designed to increase awareness as well as encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action to prepare for emergencies. Last year, 1,800 National Preparedness Month Coalition Members worked to create a culture of emergency preparedness in the United States by hosting at least 1,000 events and initiatives during and around September.

“Get an emergency kit, make a communications plan, be informed about the different types of emergencies and their appropriate responses, and get involved,” said Charley English, director of GEMA and Homeland Security. “National Preparedness Month serves as a good reminder that we all have a responsibility in protecting ourselves, our families and our communities. Ready Georgia recommends that everyone have enough emergency supplies on hand to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours following an emergency.”

To provide residents of Georgia with detailed emergency preparedness information, Ready Georgia has created a comprehensive website, ready.ga.gov, supported by the Georgia Department of Human Resources – Division of Public Health.

“The site’s newest feature enables individuals and families to create customized Ready kit checklists and communications plans,” said Lee Smith, emergency preparedness director for the Division of Public Health. “Emergencies can be devastating for those unprepared, so we are offering a simple tool to help citizens protect themselves and their loved ones.”

By visiting ready.ga.gov, citizens can get information on how to prepare for natural and manmade disasters or pandemic outbreaks. There is also an online toolkit to help individuals, businesses or organizations develop and promote their own National Preparedness Month event or activity.

Many groups have already committed to supporting the effort throughout the state. On Sept. 6, The Home Depot, a Ready Georgia sponsor, was scheduled to promote preparedness awareness at its monthly Saturday Kids Workshop at all Georgia store locations. Each child attending will receive a Ready Kids activity book featuring personal preparedness testimonial from Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli to tie in with the event’s football-themed craft. More events from around the state can be found on the Ready Georgia Web site’s community calendar.

For more information about the Ready Georgia campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit ready.ga.gov.

About Ready Georgia
Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies.

The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign.

Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive Web site, online community toolkit, television and radio advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. For more information visit ready.ga.gov.

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September is National Preparedness Month – Ready or Not?

By Erin Streeter, Director, Ready Campaign

Planning is a daily part of our routine. We plan our summer vacations, weekend activities and grocery store visits. We plan our children’s schedules and daily tasks. And, without a doubt, endless lists often follow.

There is one particular list that deserves to be checked twice – and it’s not the list you make in December. We’re talking about reviewing your emergency preparedness checklist and developing an emergency preparedness plan for your family.

September is National Preparedness Month and a good reminder that we all have a responsibility in protecting ourselves, families and our communities. Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives.

This year, the Ready Georgia campaign is reminding Georgians to take important preparedness steps during National Preparedness Month: Get an Emergency Supply Kit; Make a Family Emergency Plan; Be Informed about the emergencies and their appropriate responses; and Get Involved in community efforts, such as Citizen Corps Councils. Throughout September, activities and events will take place across this country and state to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement, such as first aid trainings, town hall meetings and much more.

Ready Georgia encourages you to take a few extra minutes this month to plan in case of an emergency. Consider the following questions: Have you spoken to your children’s schools about their shelter-in-place and/or evacuation plans?; Do you know the evacuation plan at work?; If your cell phone was inoperable, how would you get in touch with your family?; Do you have a family meeting place and an out of town contact? These are just a few of the questions you should consider as you are developing your emergency plan.

To help you check all the items off the list, Ready Georgia has developed an interactive emergency preparedness website. You can log on at ready.ga.gov to create your customized emergency plan and Ready kit checklist.

The Ready Georgia Web site can also send you to special sections for kids ages 8-12 (Ready Kids), small- to medium-sized businesses (Ready Business) and Spanish-speaking Georgians (Listo).

Preparedness is just a click away, and with September being National Preparedness Month, now is the best time to get you and your family prepared for the unexpected. Emergencies can happen anytime and to anyone – Ready or not.

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