Emergency Preparedness

Sponsor Organization: Federal Emergency Management Agency 
Campaign websites: www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov
Volunteer Agency: Cramer-Krasselt and Elevacion, Ltd.

91% of Americans believe it’s important to be prepared for emergencies. However, only 58% of households report having taken any steps at all to prepare. In order to encourage more Americans to prepare themselves, their families and their communities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sponsored public service advertisements (PSAs) that educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies.

Launched in February 2003, the Ready Campaign asks individuals to do three key things to prepare for the unexpected: 1) get an emergency supply kit, 2) make a family emergency plan, and 3) be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.

The campaign also has a complete Spanish language component, including PSAs for all media types and its own website, www.listo.gov.  

The latest PSAs utilize the metaphor that a disaster can turn your world and your family’s life “upside down,”  to encourage Americans to prepare and direct audiences to visit www.ready.gov where they can find national and local preparedness information and tools they need to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies.

Ready Kids

A family-friendly extension of the Ready Campaign, Ready Kids is a tool to help parents and teachers educate children, ages 8-12, about emergencies and how they can help their families prepare.  Launched in February 2006, the Ready Kids Web site (www.ready.gov/kids) features fun games and puzzles as well as age-appropriate, step-by-step instructions on what families can do to be better prepared for emergencies and the role kids can play in that effort. The website also has additional resources and information for parents and teachers on emergency preparedness and response.