How to stay informed

It’s important that you know the potential emergencies that can happen in your state, region and community. Go to ready.gov and click on Ready America, then Community and States Information to find out more information about your local area.

For specific questions about the area where you live, contact your state or local Office of Emergency Management, and look for them at festivals and other events in your area.

Ready recommends including a battery operated radio, such as a NOAA radio with tone alert, to stay apprised of developments during emergencies. It is always important to listen to and follow the advice of local officials in the event of an emergency.

How to develop a Family Emergency Plan

Preparing a Family Emergency Plan is simple. Get started by using a free Family Emergency Plan template. This plan can help your family stay in contact if you are separated during an emergency.

EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST - The Ready Emergency Supply Kit Checklist includes the basic items to put in an Emergency Supply Kit. It is available to download or you can order a limited amount of printed brochures by calling FEMA at 1-800-480-2520.

FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN TEMPLATE - Families may not be together in an emergency, so it is important to plan in advance how to contact one another and what to do in different situations. To get started, Ready has designed a Family Emergency Plan template that is available for download on the Ready website, then and clicking on “Make a Plan.” It is also available in Spanish on http://www.listo.gov/.

What should be included in an Emergency Supply Kit?

In a basic Emergency Supply Kit, the Ready Campaign recommends including the following:

• One gallon of water per person per day for three days – remember to include enough for your pets, too
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water and choose foods your family will eat: ready-to-eat canned meats, peanut butter, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola. Also pack a manual can opener and eating utensils
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps

Also think about the special needs of family members:

• Prescription medications, list of medications, dosage and schedule
• Glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Hearing aid batteries
• Pet food, extra water for your pet, leash and collar
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

For a complete list of items, we encourage people to visit ready.gov to download a free emergency supply checklist or call 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

On a budget? You still can afford to be ready

By Darryl J. Madden, Director, Ready Campaign

Who isn’t pinching pennies these days? In fact, many of us have been putting things off in order to save money. One thing you shouldn’t put off, though, is becoming prepared for emergencies and disasters. As difficult as it may be financially, it’s something you just can’t turn away from.

September is National Preparedness Month, and in consideration of the many of us who are tightly budgeting our dollars, here are a few tips* to save money and still be Ready.

Plan for the types of disasters that can happen in the area where you live. So, if you live in the north, or in the mountains, you may need to plan for snowstorms, but if you live along the coast, hurricanes are most likely to affect you.

Create your personalized Ready list. You may not need everything in ready-made kits. Choose the essentials to fit your needs. Don’t forget to keep supplies at work and in your car.

Shop sales and used goods stores. Buy preparedness items throughout the year and you won’t notice the cost as much.

Store water in safe, containers. You don’t need to buy expensive bottled water, just make sure your water containers are disinfected and airtight.

Request preparedness items as a gift. We all get things we don’t need. Suggest preparedness supplies as gifts from your friends and family. It just might save your life.

Think ahead. Don’t buy preparedness items just before a storm when they’re expensive and supplies will be in high demand. Buy items at the end of the season when you can get good deals.

Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes—renters, too! When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.

Update contact records. Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need.

Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80. Just one night staying in could fund your Ready kit.

Steps a business should take to prepare

There is a major responsibility on the business owner. If a business does not recover after a disaster, not only with the owner and his family be without the income this business brought them, but the families of all of the employees will also be affected.

Ready Business is designed to inform owners and managers of small- and medium-sized businesses about what they can do to prepare in the event of an emergency. The goal of this program is to raise the business community’s awareness of the need for emergency planning and motivate them to: plan to stay in business; talk to their employees; and protect their investment.

Ready Business was developed by the Ready Campaign and launched in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Administration, Society of Human Resource Management, The Business Roundtable, The 9/11 Public Discourse Project, ASIS International, Business Executives for National Security, International Safety Equipment Association, International Security Management Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Businesses and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. For more information about business emergency preparedness, visit the Ready website and click on Ready Business.

Remember, when a proper plan is in place, there is no need to push the panic button.

How to talk to kids about emergency preparedness

We all know it's important for people of all ages to prepare for an emergency. Sometimes the topic is avoided out of concern that it might frighten younger children. The Ready Kids Web site focuses on weather-related emergencies and helps parents educate children, ages 8-12, about emergencies and how they can help their families prepare. The Ready Campaign encourages parents to visit the Web site with their children. In addition, the Ready Campaign has developed Ready Kids in-school materials for teachers, which are available at ready.gov or by calling 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

The Ready Campaign consulted a number of organizations experienced in education and children’s health, including the American Psychological Association, American Red Cross, U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop Ready Kids. Together, these experts agree that it is appropriate to reach children, parents and teachers to discuss potential emergencies and how to be prepared.

Disaster preparation for those with special needs

It is recommended that individuals develop an emergency plan that considers their unique needs and a personal support network they can call upon in the event of an emergency. Also, prepare an Emergency Supply Kit, including food and water, medications, list of medications, dosage and schedule and medical records, and personal items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchair battery charger and other appropriate supplies to maintain health and independence.

More than that, though, every individual should include their friends and neighbors, with disabilities and without, in their emergency planning. In an emergency, neighbors will need to be prepared to help each other until first responders come. Know if your neighbors have disabilities or other access and functional needs and help them prepare.

The Ready Campaign consulted with a number of organizations experienced in the health and well-being of older Americans and individuals with disabilities and other special needs to develop Ready information tailored to their unique needs. These organizations include AARP, American Red Cross and the National Organization on Disability.

Click here for a free brochure or call 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585.

How pet owners can prepare for an emergency

Pet owners should assemble an Emergency Supply Kit that includes enough pet food and water for three days, medications and medical records, leashes, ID tags and other appropriate supplies.

It’s also recommended that pet owners have an emergency plan that considers the needs of their pets and they learn more about the types of emergencies that could happen in their area and the appropriate responses. Pet owners can download a free brochure from the Ready Web site, or request a copy by calling 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585.


The Ready Campaign consulted with a number of organizations experienced in animal health and well-being to develop Ready for Pet Owners information. These organizations include American Kennel Club, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association and Humane Society of the United States.

Be ready, be self-reliant

Another important piece of advice offered during National Preparedness Month is the importance of being self-reliant. Individuals and families need to be self-reliant during disasters.

Preparedness is an individual responsibility. By being prepared as individuals, we free up valuable resources, enabling our first responders to assist those who are in the greatest need.


Self-reliance extends to helping neighbors and friends, if you can. It is much more likely that your friends or neighbors will reach you first, than emergency responders.

Some people may need extra help. Be ready to lend a hand to those with different capabilities or functional needs.

Plan to stay in business

By Darryl J. Madden, Director, Ready Campaign

As a business owner or manager, you are a leader in your community who sets an example for your employees, customers, and fellow businesses to follow. This September, the seventh annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared.

Disasters not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities, including businesses of all sizes. As an employer in your community, having a business continuity plan can help protect your company, its employees and its infrastructure, maximizing your chances of recovery after an incident.

Ready Business asks companies to take three simple steps: plan to stay in business; encourage your people to become Ready; and protect your investment.

This year, the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, with support from Coalition Members across the nation, including a wide range of businesses and organizations, is focusing NPM on encouraging American individuals, families and businesses to take active steps toward becoming Ready. We must work together, as a team, to ensure that our families, businesses, neighborhoods, and communities are Ready.

Ready Business, an extension of the Ready Campaign, helps owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency. The Ready Business section of ready.gov contains vital information for businesses on how to get started preparing their business for their unique needs during an emergency.

Now it's time to Quiz the Kidz!

Our previous post was a disaster preparedness quiz for each of you to take. It is a great way to to see how well prepared you are. Today's post will be much for fun. It's a quiz for kids (you'll probably know all these answers!). Make this a fun activity while teaching your kids what to do in the event of a disaster so they will be Ready.

1. What is NOT one of the four steps you can take to help your family be prepared for emergencies?

A. Eat your vegetables
B. Get a kit
C. Make a plan
D. Be Informed
E. Get Involved

2. What should a Family Communications Plan include?

A. Information about how we would get in touch with each other during an emergency
B. Where we would meet
C. How we would remain in contact
D. All of the above

3. How much water should you have in your Ready Kit?

A. One small water bottle for each person
B. One gallon for the whole family
C. One gallon of water per person per day
D. One gallon of water for the family per day

4. Which of the following is NOT an important part of a Kid’s Emergency Supply Kit?

A. Flashlight
B. Batteries
C. Water
D. Video Games

5. How quickly can a fire spread through a house?

A. 10 minutes
B. As little as five minutes
C. 30 minutes
D. 45 minutes

6. In an emergency, what number should you dial to contact the police and fire department?

A. 911
B. 111
C. 711
D. 311

7. In an emergency, what should you have available to hear news and official reports about what is occurring?

A. A hand-crank/battery-powered radio
B. A CD player
C. A board game
D. DVD player

What are YOU doing to prepare?

Are you ready? National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to start your disaster preparedness. Below is an Emergency Preparedness Quiz. See how many questions you can answer. And if you don't know, we've provided a resource for you. There are also suggested actions to take in order to be Ready.

1. Do you have an Emergency Supply Kit in your home/office/car? The best way to prepare is to set aside supplies solely for emergencies or disasters. (Visit ready.gov for an Emergency Supply Kit checklist.)
2. What emergencies could occur in your area? How could you prepare for those emergencies specifically? (Visit your local Office of Emergency Management for help with this answer.)
3. Does your family have a plan? What if you are separated at the time of the disaster?
4. Are you prepared to help your neighbor? In most emergencies, the best way to get help more quickly is by working with your close neighbors. Do you know of anyone who might need a little extra help?
5. What are your local evacuation routes? How would you get out of town from work? How would you get out of town from home? (Visit your local Office of Emergency Management for help with this answer.)
6. Does your city/county have a Citizen Corps Council? (If you don’t know, visit www.citizencorps.gov)
7. Does your city/county have an emergency alert system? If so, are you signed up to get alerts? (Visit your local Office of Emergency Management for help with this answer.)
8. Do you know the local radio station you would tune into to get emergency information? (Visit your local Office of Emergency Management for help with this answer.)

Does your family have an emergency plan? Take action!

By Darryl J. Madden, Director, Ready Campaign

Do you have emergency supplies set aside in case there’s a disaster? Does your family have an emergency plan? For many people, planning for an emergency or disaster isn’t a priority.

According to the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey, only 36 percent of individuals believed there was a high likelihood of a natural disaster to EVER happen in their community. Many people think they have everything they need in the event of an emergency at hand, and can simply “grab and go.”

You are your family’s first responder, and in many ways you are your neighbor’s first responder. All of us as participants in our communities and members of our families need to take concrete steps to proactively prepare for emergencies and disasters. Local, state, and national authorities are going to help, but they may not be able to get to you right away. We all need to be prepared for those first 72 hours before help can reach us.

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM)—the perfect time to take action and get your family Ready. Readiness comes in many forms and preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We have to work together, as a team, to ensure that our families, neighborhoods, and communities are Ready. Get an emergency supply kit. Make a family emergency plan. Be informed about the risks in your area. Work with your neighbor and know who might need just a little extra help.

To help get your family started, Ready Kids is a family-friendly, children-oriented tool to help parents and teachers educate children, ages 8-12, about emergencies and how they can help families better prepare. The Ready Kids Web site at ready.gov features fun activities such as a Scavenger Hunt, Pack It Up Matching game, crossword puzzles and coloring pages, as well as age-appropriate, step-by-step instructions on what families can do to better prepare for emergencies and the role kids can play in that effort.

It’s important to explain to your children that families can prepare for emergencies before they take place and that they can help, too. By doing so, you can alleviate anxiety if an emergency does occur and help to nurture a more prepared society for generations to come. Visit ready.gov/kids today and get Ready!

Just in time for National Preparedness Month

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our family of companies – Business Continuity Planning Specialists LLC. A complimenting service to Hartman Inventory and Hartman Inventory Systems (turnkey package), this is a natural progression for us as we continue to grow.

September is National Preparedness Month, so it’s the perfect time to launch this new endeavor. Since establishing our inventory service in 2004, we have found that many small businesses don’t have an asset inventory, let alone a thorough continuity plan. We’re finding it’s not because they don’t want one or see the value, but that the owners just don’t have the time or knowledge to create it. That has encouraged us to fill the need.

One of the other principals in BCP Specialists, James Kuester, is also owner of KEI Consulting. His 20+ years of experience working with small businesses has helped his clients improve operations, customer service, and prepare for a disaster. James is a stickler for making sure clear, concise, step-by-step procedures are developed and available when they are needed. He is a firm believer that in the heat of the moment, it is better to have done all that heavy thinking before the need exists, rather than having to make it up on the fly. Combining his interests and expertise with ours, this new initiative was born.

BCP Specialists understands the budgetary restrictions that many companies are experiencing today - especially the small- and medium-sized businesses. Since we believe that every business should have a plan for disaster recovery, affordability was one of the key initiatives when creating the Continuity Package. In addition to the plan itself, this unique approach includes two other key elements - evacuation plans and a thorough asset inventory. All for one set package price. We are the answer to the ‘how’ and ‘when’ you will create your disaster preparedness plan.

Customers served include manufacturing; auto repair and body shops; contractors; financial and insurance services; dental, chiropractic and small medical; and consulting, marketing and professional firms. No matter the industry or the size of the company, the core issues remain the same – who is going to do what, when disaster strikes?

Though headquartered in Indianapolis, BCP Specialists provides business continuity services throughout the United States.

Three easy things a business can do to promote National Preparedness Month

I'm sure everyone believes that the greater the awareness of disaster preparedness, the more apt people will be to take it seriously. When a disaster strikes, they will be happy they did. So what can a business - no matter how large or small - do to spread the message to their employees? Here are three easy things that can be done:

Host a Business Preparedness Review. Lead by example and organize an emergency preparedness procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans and practice emergency drills with employees. For more information about business preparedness, go to ready.gov and click on “Ready Business.” There are many resources and tools that you can order or download.


Leave Emergency Kit Items on Employee Desks. Put a bottle of water on each employee’s desk along with a note that says “If there is an emergency, do you have enough water to last you and your family for three days?” and a printout of the emergency supply checklist.

Encourage Employees to Back Up Their Important Information. Remind employees that it’s important to have copies of their important financial and legal documents. Allow employees to use the office scanner and copy machine to make copies of their important documents (insurance papers, wills, bank account information, etc.).

It's that easy!

Be a part of the preparedness team

By Darryl J. Madden, Director, Ready Campaign

Being Ready starts with you! Taking steps now to prepare for disasters and emergencies of all types will go far in ensuring everyone’s safety. We have to work together, as a team, to ensure that individuals, families, and communities are prepared for emergencies and disasters. Important steps to take include making a family emergency plan, getting an emergency supply kit, staying informed and working as a team to keep everyone safe.

September is National Preparedness Month and the perfect time to take action toward making your communities and our nation safer, stronger, and better prepared.

Federal Emergency Management Agency’s grassroots preparedness initiative, Citizen Corps, supports local opportunities for communities to become engaged in preparedness and resiliency by connecting government and civic leaders, non-governmental organizations, and other community-based programs through participation on their local Citizen Corps Council. Citizen Corps Councils support emergency operations planning, training and exercises, and volunteer opportunities that enhance community safety. Here are a few examples of how you can become more involved in your community:

• Volunteering for local law enforcement agencies through the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program. VIPS volunteers conduct traffic control, crowd control, and other duties that support local law enforcement
• Training to become a member of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in your area. CERT members support first responders before, during and after a disaster occurs by providing support for preparedness awareness and using their skills to execute response protocols to assist emergency responders
• Joining a Neighborhood Watch group to assist with crime and terrorism prevention by working more closely with local law enforcement, and emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness among families and homes in your neighborhood
• Donating time to a Medical Reserve Corps Unit through volunteering with medical and public health professionals to contribute skills and expertise throughout the year as well as during times of community need
• Becoming an advocate for fire safety and prevention education in the community and assisting with administrative duties at your local fire station through Fire Corps.
• Getting involved with an American Red Cross Chapter by giving blood to ensure a safe supply, volunteering with your local chapter, getting trained to respond to local disasters like home fires, or making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund
• Helping other community members prepare, including those children and adults with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

All over America, communities have organized Citizen Corps Councils to involve local government and non-government in emergency management planning, mitigation, response, and recovery activities. You can get more information about Ready by going to Ready.gov.

What is National Preparedness Month?

We are proud to step up and help educate and inform our readers about being prepared for a disaster, so we have become a National Preparedness Month 2010 Coalition Member. During the month of September we'll devote a great deal of our space on this blog for this iniative.

So, just what is National Preparedness Month (NPM)? Sponsored by the Ready Campaign, and with support from Coalition Members across the nation, NPM is held each September to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness. During the month, Americans are encouraged to participate by hosting activities and initiatives. In recent years, more than 3,000 organizations joined the Ready Campaign as Coalition Members.

This year, NPM focuses on encouraging you and other Americans to take active steps toward getting involved and becoming prepared. Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We have to work together, as a team, to ensure that individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities are ready. Put together an emergency supply kit. Make a family emergency plan. Be prepared to help your neighbor. Work as a team to keep everyone safe.

For more information about NPM, visit the Ready Web site.

Yawn.... Zzzzzz.....

Today begins National Preparedness Month.

Yawn..... Zzzzzzz.....

I know, it's a boring topic for most people. What isn't boring, though, are these: tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, burglaries and earthquakes. So let's all consider the message of National Preparedness Month and be ready.

Consider not being prepared for one of the disasters (which happen every day to people everywhere), and how you'll wish you had. Ask anyone who experienced one, and they'll strongly encourage you to create that personal property inventory! We just received a call yesterday from a future customer. He was speaking to a woman who recently had a fire. Four months later, she was still dealing with insurance claims.

Make this National Disaster Month a memorable one by being proactive.