Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

CHICAGO –September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to make disaster preparedness a priority.

“National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA Region V Administrator. “Plan in advance so your family knows what to do if a disaster strikes: how you will get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different emergency situations.”

Severe weather and other emergencies can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, the Midwest has experienced several waves of destructive storms, tornadoes and flooding. Whether at home or on the go, be aware of emergency plans in place wherever your family spends their time: work, daycare and school, houses of worship, sports events and commuting. Be disaster ready, wherever you may be.

It’s simple to start planning for emergencies: download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids on Ready.gov/make-a-plan and fill out the sections before printing it or emailing it to your family and friends. Consider also downloading the free FEMA app, available for your Android, Apple or Blackberry device, so you have the information at your fingertips to prepare for severe weather.

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be better prepared, including steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Follow FEMA Region V online at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

For detailed information about how to be ready for severe weather in your area, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit, visit www.ready.gov, or our Spanish site at www.listo.gov.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, 312-408-4455

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Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

National Preparedness Month Kicks Off on September 1

Washington – Disasters like floods, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes are a harsh and frequent reality for much of the country. According to a recent survey conducted by FEMA, progress has been made; however, fewer than half of Americans have discussed and developed an emergency plan with their household.

Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council launched a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) to encourage families to develop an emergency communication plan before a disaster occurs. An extension of the national Ready campaign, the new PSAs launch in conjunction with the 12^th annual National Preparedness Month, serving as a reminder to take action to prepare for the types of hazards that could impact where you live, work, and vacation.

“The last thing you want to be worried about during a disaster is how to communicate with your family members,” said Administrator Craig Fugate. “Have that conversation today. It doesn’t cost a thing.”

The new campaign includes English and Spanish-language TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital PSAs. Created pro bono by Chicago-based advertising agency Schafer Condon Carter, the PSAs illustrate the importance of having a family plan in the event of an emergency by showing real emergency moments and asking the question, “when is the right time to prepare?” The viewer is encouraged to develop a family emergency communication plan through the clear message, “Don’t wait. Communicate.” The PSAs direct audiences to Ready.gov/communicate for tools and resources to help develop and practice a family emergency communication plan.

“Through the Ready campaign, we’ve made a lot of progress educating and empowering Americans to prepare for all types of emergencies but there are still so many families that don’t have a plan, said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Having these conversations is really important and can have a big impact on our families’ safety in the event of a disaster.”

“SCC is honored to work with the Ad Council and FEMA on the Ready campaign,” said David Selby, President and Managing Partner of SCC. “This new campaign provides powerful imagery and a critically important call-to-action that we hope will cause individuals and families to pay attention, lean in and, ultimately, take action.”

Localized television and radio PSAs were created and will be available for 27 states, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington D.C., and New York City as part of an ongoing collaboration with state and local emergency management partners. These PSAs drive audiences to their local organization’s website for resources and information pertinent to their area.

As an extension of the national Ready campaign, versions of the PSAs were created for Ready New York, a local initiative that was launched in partnership with the New York City Office of Emergency Management in 2009. Tailoring the message to the unique challenges faced by people living in New York City, audiences are directed to call 311 or visit NYC.gov/readyny, where they can find preparedness resources, including 11 Ready New York guides in 13 languages and audio format.

Managed and sponsored by the Ready campaign, National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and places of worship. National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to share emergency preparedness information and host activities across the country to help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready.

National Preparedness Month Weekly Themes

Week 1 (September 1–5) Flood
Week 2 (September 6–12) Wildfire
Week 3 (September 13–19) Hurricane
Week 4 (September 20–26) Power Outage
Week 5 (September 27–30) Lead up to National PrepareAthon! Day, September 30

National Preparedness Month culminates with National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30 when cities and counties across the country are planning community-wide events bringing together schools, their business community, government, faith leaders, hospitals, individuals and families, and others to participate in community-wide preparedness drills and activities for hazards that are relevant to their area.

Since the launch in 2003, the Ready Campaign has received nearly $1.2 billion in donated media. The Campaign helps to generate more than 92 million unique visitors to Ready.gov. The Ad Council is distributing the new PSAs to media outlets nationwide this week, and the PSAs will run in donated time and space.

For more information visit Ready.gov/September or follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about National PrepareAthon! Day, visit www.ready.gov/prepare.

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National Preparedness Month Kicks Off on September 1

Ten Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Ivan

ATLANTA—Ten years ago “Ivan the Terrible,” as the deadly hurricane was dubbed, ripped across the Gulf Coast as the strongest storm of the 2004 season. Ten years later, Hurricane Ivan serves as a reminder that the time to prepare for the next hurricane is now.

Ivan is remembered for its storm surge, extensive rains, and 117 tornadoes that caused coastal and inland flooding and tornado damage across much of the southeastern United States. Strong winds spread well inland—damaging homes, and downing trees and power lines. Ten states from Louisiana to New York received federal disaster declarations, including five in the southeast.

Ivan made its first U.S. landfall on September 16, as a strong Category 3 hurricane, just west of Gulf Shores, Alabama, with its strongest winds occurring near the Alabama-Florida panhandle border. Wind and high surf caused extensive damage to Innerarity Point and Orange Beach, Alabama. In Florida, storm surge took out portions of the Interstate 10 bridge system in Pensacola Bay and Perdido Key was significantly damaged. Thousands of homes in Baldwin County (Alabama) and Escambia, and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida were damaged or destroyed. In Escambia County alone debris piles were more than three-quarters of a mile long and 70 feet high. In all, Ivan was the most destructive hurricane to affect this area in more than 100 years.

“Hurricane Ivan serves as a reminder, especially during National Preparedness Month, that we all need to be ready for disasters and emergencies,” said FEMA Region IV Acting Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “September is also the height of hurricane season, so preparing now is even more critical for families and businesses in the Southeast.”

Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare

September marks National Preparedness Month, and this week’s anniversary of Hurricane Ivan is an opportune time to plan for specific needs before a disaster. Whether you are planning for your family, your business or a faith-based or voluntary organization, use this week to understand your preparedness needs. Develop plans ahead of the next disaster. Information to help you make an emergency plan is at www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov. National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30 with America’s PrepareAthon! Check out the information and plan to participate.

Following Hurricane Ivan, FEMA provided:

In Alabama—More than $190 million in grants to more than 89,200 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $222 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

In Florida: More than $164 million in grants to more than 79,390 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $695 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

In Georgia: More than $4 million in grants to more than 1,300 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $11 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

In Mississippi: More than $8.5 million in grants to more than 4,530 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $14 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities;

In North Carolina: More than $13 million in grants to more than 4,000 applicants through the Individuals and Households Program for lodging expenses, rental assistance, minor home repairs and other needs assistance; more than $32 million for emergency protective measures, or for the repair or replacement of public infrastructure and public utilities.

The time to prepare for the next hurricane is now. September is National Preparedness Month, and there is no better time to consider how prepared you and your family are for the next disaster. Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov for a wealth of emergency preparedness resources, including how to create a family emergency plan, build an emergency kit and take part in a community preparedness event. Be Smart. Take Part. Prepare.

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Ten Years Later: Remembering Hurricane Ivan

Be Disaster Aware. Take Action to Prepare. National Preparedness Month Launches September 1

CHICAGO –September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to make disaster preparedness a priority.

“National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said FEMA Region V acting regional administrator, Janet Odeshoo. “Make disaster readiness manageable by taking one step at a time— start by learning your specific risk, then gather supplies for an emergency kit, and finally develop a family communications plan. By taking these small, but critical, steps, over time you can be prepared for disasters.”

Severe weather and other emergencies can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, the Midwest has experienced several waves of destructive severe storms, including the severe flooding in parts of Minnesota. Additionally, other parts of the country are currently fighting flooding and other emergencies that threaten the infrastructure people depend on every day. Whether at home or on the go, everyone should learn the steps necessary to make preparedness part of their everyday life.

“As a nation we are seeing disasters increase in their size and complexity, and they are occurring with greater frequency,” said Odeshoo. “The impacts of these events are a reminder that everyone should be prepared for the hazards faced in their communities or even while traveling. Make preparedness a priority for your family today and help encourage a culture of preparedness in your community.”

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be disaster ready, including ways you can stay safe during a disaster and steps you can take to protect yourself and your family when traveling. Follow FEMA Region V online at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

For detailed information about how to be ready for severe weather in your area, including a list of items you will want to have in your emergency kit, visit http://www.ready.gov/, or our Spanish site at www.listo.gov.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf (312) 408-4455

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Be Disaster Aware. Take Action to Prepare. National Preparedness Month Launches September 1

Recent Report Highlights Need for Greater Focus on Preparedness Planning for Households

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ad Council release new PSAs
as part of the national Ready campaign to encourage families to create a plan

WASHINGTON – Fifty percent of Americans have not discussed or developed an emergency plan for family members about where to go and what to do in the event of a local disaster, according to a 2014 national survey conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA and the Ad Council launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) today as an extension of their national Ready campaign to encourage parents to develop an emergency preparedness plan. The new PSAs are unveiled in time for the 11^th annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), which begins on September 1.

“The first step to preparing for disasters is simple and it’s free – talk to your family and make a plan,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA administrator. “Do you know how you’ll reunite and communicate with your family during an emergency? Through our continued partnership with the Ad Council, this year’s campaign illustrates how making a plan can keep families together and safe during a disaster.”

Created pro bono by New York-based advertising agency Deutsch Inc., the new creative includes English- and Spanish-language TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital PSAs that depict the aftermath of a disaster and show two families: one family who have all found each other safely at a shelter they earlier designated as their meeting place, and one set of parents who are frantically searching for their son. Through these PSAs, families are faced with the harsh reality of what can happen when you do not have an emergency plan in place before a disaster or emergency strikes. The PSAs direct audiences to know where to find their families when a disaster strikes and to start their emergency plans at Ready.gov and www.Listo.gov, which have extensive resources for preparing for emergencies.

“Our Ready campaign with FEMA exemplifies the power of advertising in influencing both awareness and behavior change,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “While we have significantly increased the numbers of families who have taken key steps to be more prepared, there are still too many who do not have a plan in place. These conversations about what to bring and where to go are integral and can impact your family’s safety in the event of an emergency or disaster.”

Since its launch in 2003, the campaign has received more than $1 billion in donated media. The campaign has also helped to generate over 71 million unique visitors to Ready.gov.

“We are excited to continue our work with the Ad Council and FEMA to create conversations and encourage people to have a plan in place in case of an emergency,” said Val DiFebo, CEO, Deutsch NY. “This year’s campaign will elicit heart-stopping reactions from parents—and that is our goal—to motivate parents into action to create emergency plans for the safety of their families. Speaking as a parent, there is nothing more frightening than being apart from your family in an emergency situation. We are honored to be part of this very important mission.”

Managed and sponsored by the Ready Campaign, National Preparedness Month is designed to raise awareness and encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses and places of worship. In partnership with Citizen Corps, emergency preparedness officials and the Ad Council, National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to disseminate emergency preparedness information and host sponsor activities across the country to help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready. This year, each week throughout September will have a different theme, which will focus on emergency preparedness topics such as how to plan for specific needs before a disaster, how to build an emergency kit, how to practice for an emergency and this year’s PSA campaign theme—how to reconnect with a family after a disaster. This year’s campaign culminates with a day of action, National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30, when people in communities across the nation will practice what to do in advance of an emergency. Practicing a preparedness action in advance of a disaster makes you better prepared to handle any emergency you may encounter.

The Ad Council is distributing the new PSAs to media outlets nationwide this week, and the PSAs will run and air in advertising time and space donated by the media.

More information on the campaign and National Preparedness Month is available by visiting Ready.gov/September or by following the campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

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Recent Report Highlights Need for Greater Focus on Preparedness Planning for Households

FEMA, New York City Office of Emergency Management, & The Ad Council Kick Off 10th Annual National Preparedness Month

10th annual National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take steps to toward resiliency and marks the 10^th Anniversary of its Ready Campaign

WASHINGTON – Today, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate kicked off the tenth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), joining local New York City Emergency Management officials and New York City Citizen Corps Council, at the Children’s Museum in Staten Island to talk about the importance of family and community emergency preparedness.

“Each September, we commit to focusing our collective efforts on raising our level of readiness to be prepared for any potential hazard with National Preparedness Month,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “It is a time for us to promote individual and community preparedness. Events like the one today in New York serve as a reminder for all Americans to be prepared in order to successfully respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters.”

NPM is led by FEMA’s Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council, and is a nationwide effort encouraging individuals, families, businesses and communities to work together and take action to prepare for emergencies. 2013 marks the 10^th anniversary of Ready, a public service advertising media campaign that has garnered in excess of $1billion in donated media placements, over 77 million visitors to its websites and has had in excess of 88 million pieces of preparedness materials requested or downloaded.

NPM is an opportunity to disseminate emergency preparedness information and host sponsor activities across the country to help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready. This year a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) were launched as part of the Ready Kids campaign. The TV, radio, outdoor, print and digital PSAs take a humorous approach to emphasize the importance for parents to involve their children in the preparedness process. Through these PSAs, families are provided preparedness conversation starters including: who to call as your out-of-state emergency contact, where to meet if everyone is separated, and what to pack as part of your emergency supply kit. The PSAs direct to the redesigned Ready Kids website where parents can find the resources they need to make preparedness a family year-round family activity. (View PSAs on FEMA’s YouTube Channel: Seat of Your Pants & Not Sharing)

Social Media: Follow Ready online www.twitter.com/readygov, www.facebook.com/readygov, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. Learn more about the Ready Campaign at www.ready.gov & Citizens Corps at www.citizenscorps.gov.

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FEMA, New York City Office of Emergency Management, & The Ad Council Kick Off 10th Annual National Preparedness Month

2013 National Preparedness Month

WHAT: As part of National Preparedness Month this September, free online tools from the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps are available to encourage households, businesses and communities to know their risk, make an emergency preparedness plan and inspire others to do the same.

Fact Sheets

Fact sheets for business owners, seniors, pet owners and people with access and functional needs are available for download on the FEMA Sandy New York webpage (www.fema.gov/SandyNY). Click on the “Updates and Articles” link to access the fact sheets.

Banners

Various banners and other Web images are available for download on the FEMA Sandy New York Web page (www.fema.gov/SandyNY), including a helpful tenth anniversary infographic for the Ready Campaign. Include the site http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM as a link to the images. The site encourages community involvement and provides toolkits and other resources for emergency preparedness.

Widget

The National Preparedness Community widget allows you to share preparedness information directly with your website visitors. Include the following code on your website:

Social Media

Promote emergency preparedness through your own social media channels or with messages posted on www.fema.gov/SandyNY, twitter.com/FEMASandy and facebook.com/FEMASandy.

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2013 National Preparedness Month

Get Ready: National Preparedness Month Launches September 1

CHICAGO –September is National Preparedness Month, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages everyone to act now and make their families’ preparedness for disasters a priority.

“National Preparedness Month serves as a reminder that we all need to prepare for disasters and emergencies,” said Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III. “Make disaster readiness manageable by taking one step at a time— start by learning your specific risk, gathering supplies for an emergency kit, and developing a family communications plan. By taking these small, but critical, steps over time, you can be prepared for disasters.”

Severe weather and other emergencies can strike with little or no warning and can have disastrous impacts. Already this year, the Midwest has experienced several waves of destructive severe storms, including the devastating tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma. Additionally, other parts of the country are currently fighting intense wildfires, flooding and other emergencies that threaten the infrastructure people depend on every day. Whether at home or on the go, everyone should learn the steps necessary to make preparedness part of their everyday life.

“As a nation we are seeing disasters increase in their size and complexity, and they are occurring with greater frequency,” said Velasquez. “The impacts of these events are a reminder that everyone should be prepared for the hazards faced in their communities or even while traveling. Make preparedness a priority for your family today and help encourage a culture of preparedness in your community.”

An emergency supply kit should have at least three days of basic emergency supplies, such as water, food, flashlights, batteries and medications that you or your family may need on a daily basis. You can make collecting these items more affordable by gradually adding supplies to your kit until it is complete.

Throughout the month, FEMA will offer tips to help you be disaster ready. Follow FEMA Region V online at twitter.com/femaregion5 and www.facebook.com/fema, to receive the latest preparedness updates.

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Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, FEMA, 312-408-4455

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Get Ready: National Preparedness Month Launches September 1

September 1 Marks the Start of National Preparedness Month; Citizens invited to ‘Be a Hero’ All Year Long

FEMA Region VII’s “Be A Hero, Preparing Means Caring” campaign

calls on all Americans to exercise an inclusive approach when preparing for emergencies

KANSAS CITY, MO –Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Captain America bring very familiar images to mind. This September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign and FEMA Region VII, in partnership with Citizen Corps and the Ad Council call on all Americans to embrace their own heroic powers to prepare themselves and others for disasters.

“Like so many of the superheroes we grew up watching, the overarching concept behind being a ‘hero’ is helping others, particularly those who may not be able to help themselves or may need some extra assistance,” said FEMA Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman.

On September 1, National Preparedness Month Community members across the nation will respond to the call to help prepare their families, businesses and communities for emergencies of all kinds. This spring’s deadly tornado in Moore, OK, summer flooding in the Midwest, and the not-so-distant Hurricane Sandy which struck the Eastern Seaboard in 2012, demonstrate that disasters can happen anywhere at any time.

This year’s National Preparedness Month campaign slogan, “You Can Be the Hero”, seeks to transform awareness into action by encouraging all Americans to be the heroes in their own homes, businesses, schools and other common places, taking the necessary steps to ensure their communities and the people within those communities are prepared for emergencies of all kinds.

Localizing the national theme with an emphasis on issues true to the Nation’s Heartland, FEMA Region VII will launch its regional campaign, Be A Hero, Preparing Means Caring, in conjunction with National Preparedness Month. The initiative includes extensive outreach throughout the Region VII states of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

Freeman said “Our goal in adopting a regional focus for National Preparedness Month is to promote the importance of taking an inclusive approach to disaster preparedness because everyone, regardless of abilities, has something to offer when it comes to preparedness.

“We can be heroes by learning what it takes to prepare, by understanding the variety and complexity of needs in our communities – particularly for people with access or functional needs and to ensure the well-being of pets – and by exercising a few simple activities now to ensure everyone within our community circles is prepared.”

Through FEMA Region VII’s Be A Hero, Preparing Means Caring campaign, information will be distributed on a variety of topics and issues to consider when practicing preparedness including: caring for the elderly and those with disabilities, ensuring your business is resilient and accessible, and building an emergency supply kit to care for pets.

As the baseline for all FEMA emergency preparedness information, the campaign focuses on starting preparedness with four simple steps:

Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of local information that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency.
Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.
Build an emergency supply kit.
Get involved.

Although a majority of the Campaign’s information and outreach will be distributed throughout National Preparedness Month in September, FEMA Region VII is using the initiative as a kick-off effort to taking a more focused, long-term approach to engaging with citizens and community partners throughout the year.”

Preparedness is a shared responsibility; it takes a whole community. To join the National Preparedness Community or to make a pledge to learn more, get involved and Be A Hero in your own community, visit http://community.fema.gov. Information is also available at 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO or TTY 1-800-462-7585.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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September 1 Marks the Start of National Preparedness Month; Citizens invited to ‘Be a Hero’ All Year Long

FEMA Braces for Fires, Floods, Earthquakes and other Natural Disasters, Emphasizes need for citizens to plan to Survive for 3 days

OAKLAND – September is National Preparedness Month and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is partnering with communities in Arizona, California, Nevada and Hawaii to encourage citizens to encourage families, individuals and businesses to act now to increase preparedness throughout the U.S.

FEMA Region 9 Administrator Nancy Ward will participate in an event with the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), American Red Cross, City of Chandler, and the business community to kick-off National Preparedness Month in Arizona with a press conference and expo on Wednesday, September 4th at the Chandler Wal-Mart located at 1175 South Arizona Avenue. ADEM will share samples of a recipe found in the Emergency Kit Cook-off (www.EmergencyKitCookOff.org) that is inspired by the contents of the 72-hour emergency food kit.

“Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It takes a whole community and this is why you see federal, state, and county government agencies partnering with local municipalities, non-profits, and private businesses to spread the message about the importance of being prepared for emergency situations,” said Nancy Ward, FEMA Region IX Administrator. “This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on turning awareness into action by encouraging all individuals and all communities nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan.”

National Preparedness’ Month is a nationwide, month-long effort hosted annually by the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, that encourages households, businesses and communities to prepare and plan for emergencies. One of National Preparedness Month’s key messages is: being prepared in the event an emergency means being self-reliant for three days without utilities and electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or local services, possibly without available response from police, fire or rescue. Preparing for such disaster realities can start with four important steps:

1. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during and after an emergency

2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency

3. Build an emergency supply kit

4. Get involved

This year’s National Preparedness Month focuses on turning awareness into action by encouraging all individuals and all communities nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan. Preparedness information and events will be posted to http://community.fema.gov/connect.ti/READYNPM

For a list of public events being hosted in FEMA Region 9 please visit: https://www.fema.gov/NPM2013Events

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FEMA Braces for Fires, Floods, Earthquakes and other Natural Disasters, Emphasizes need for citizens to plan to Survive for 3 days