Destiny Survival

            This September marks the sixth annual National Preparedness Month.  FEMA’s Ready Campaign is designed to encourage everyone to have an emergency preparedness plan for their families, businesses, and communities, whether the emergency situation is storms or terrorist attacks.

Each September state and local governments, businesses, and organizations team up to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness.  This year the focus of the Ready Campaign is to help Americans understand that preparedness means more than having fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry.  It’s about changing perceptions about emergency preparedness so people will realize what it truly means to be "Ready."

Citizen Corps, FEMA’s emergency preparedness and resiliency grassroots strategy, released a study this summer that found Americans are not as prepared as they think.  Less than half had an emergency plan for their home.  Most aren’t familiar with local information like community alerts and warning systems, shelter locations, and community evacuation routes.  These elements are either missing or incomplete from household planning.

As you might expect, there’s a Ready Campaign Web site at http://www.ready.gov you can use as a resource.  FEMA recommends these simple steps: Get a Kit; Make a Plan; Be Informed; and Get Involved in community efforts such as Citizen Corps.

The Web site includes downloadable emergency supply checklists and family emergency plan templates.  You’ll also find new online emergency planning tools.  You can also call 1-800-BE-READY for more information.  You can even follow the Ready Campaign on Twitter under the username readydotgov.

            There’s plenty of survival and prepping info online for those who want it.  Consider FEMA’s Ready Campaign as one more resource as National Preparedness Month graces the calendar again.

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