Ready Georgia provides tools to prepare for disaster

Submitted by the governor's office

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. Gov. Sonny Perdue will proclaim September as Preparedness Month in Georgia during a ceremony on Aug. 28, and Ready Georgia, a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, is encouraging Georgians to plan, prepare and stay informed about potential threats.

“National Preparedness Month creates an opportunity for every Georgian to learn more about ways to prepare for all types of emergencies,” said Perdue. “Emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every Georgian. We can take a few simple steps - creating a disaster supply kit, making a family disaster plan and staying informed – to help make citizen preparedness a priority in every community.”

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 Web site, 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, will 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.