Preparedness

October 26, 2009 -- ATLANTA, Ga. -- Just as every home should have a smoke alarm, every home should have an emergency supply kit packed and ready. And being prepared doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

While emergency preparedness is ongoing at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it's also an individual responsibility.

“You should be prepared to take care of yourself and members of your family for the first 72 hours – that’s three days – following a disaster such as a hurricane or the September flooding across Georgia,” said GEMA Director Charley English. “A big part of disaster preparation is knowledge and the state has developed a comprehensive disaster preparedness guide that is available online.”    » read more »

San Diego, California, October 14, 2009 -- Wildfires. Earthquakes. Mudslides. These are not scenes from the latest Hollywood disaster movie, but the realities of living and working in San Diego and throughout the Golden State. And as wildfire season continues to be an ever present threat in San Diego and Southern California, AT&T* has announced it will hold a Network Disaster Recovery Exercise (NDR) in San Diego at PETCO Park from Oct. 13 to 23, 2009.    » read more »

The Time to Assess Animal Preparedness Plans is BEFORE Disaster Strikes

September 17, 2009 -- SEATTLE, Wash. -- September is National Preparedness Month, and this year the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is using the calendar observance to focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness, and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready.

Being Ready is all about taking four simple but all-important steps: get an Emergency Supply Kit; make a Family Emergency Plan; be informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses; and get involved in community preparedness initiatives. According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, the time to make proper provisions for pets is before disaster strikes.    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- The health and safety of the American people is the first priority of President Barack Obama. Since the novel 2009-H1N1 flu virus emerged in the United States during the third week of April, the President has received regular briefi'ngs and asked his Cabinet to spare no effort in addressing this national security challenge.    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON. D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that more than 1,200 national, regional, tribal, state and local businesses and organizations have pledged their support and joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month (NPM) Coalition. Non-member organizations are strongly encouraged to join before the start of NPM.

Led by FEMA's Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, NPM is held each September and is designed to raise awareness and promote action surrounding emergency preparedness among citizens, businesses and communities.    » read more »

September 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today marked the beginning of the sixth annual National Preparedness Month - focusing on becoming better prepared for and more resilient in the face of emergencies of all kinds.

"National Preparedness Month is about building a culture of personal preparedness and shared responsibility across our country," said Secretary Napolitano. "This month, we ask all Americans to visit Ready.gov to learn what they can do to help their families, businesses and communities stay safe during an emergency - whether it be hurricanes like Katrina, the fires we are fighting in California or pandemic influenza."    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today nearly $1.8 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness grants designed to help states, urban areas, tribal governments and non-profit agencies improve their readiness by enhancing protection, prevention, response and recovery capabilities for all disasters. Secretary Napolitano was joined by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in announcing the grants.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today announced that the State of Maine will receive $6,524,500 in State Homeland Security Grant Program funds. The funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) support regional emergency planning, training and exercise programs, as well as maintenance costs for regional response teams and equipment. A portion of these funds is typically made available to communities under a competitive grant program.    » read more »

Continues efforts to promote preparedness at State Emergency Operations Center
www.FloridaDisaster.org

June 3, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today joined state leaders and the state emergency response team (SERT) for a hurricane tabletop exercise as part of his continued focus on Florida’s preparation for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season. During this training exercise, Governor Crist praised the commitment of emergency responders to public service and reiterated his confidence that Florida is ready and able to handle a disaster.    » read more »

$1 million donation will support disaster preparedness and response at national and local level

WASHINGTON, June 01, 2009 -- Ryder today announced it is committing $1 million over the next three years through the Ryder Charitable Foundation to support national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts, making it the newest member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program.

This is Ryder’s largest national donation to the Red Cross, although the Miami-based company has been a longtime supporter of the American Red Cross. The majority of the $1 million gift, $850,000, will be designated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, and the remaining $150,000 will be directed to the Greater Miami & the Keys chapter.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today urged Floridians to finalize their family disaster preparedness plans and ensure that family members, homes and businesses are ready for the possibility of a hurricane or other disaster. During a visit to a Home Depot in Tallahassee on the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season, Governor Crist encouraged all Floridians to have a disaster plan and supply kit that includes at least a three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food for the entire family – including pets.

Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp also promoted the importance of preparedness during a visit to the Collier County Emergency Services Center.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- “Today we begin the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, and I encourage all Floridians to have a plan and be prepared. Florida is a great place to live, work and play, but our paradise comes with the responsibility to make sure our families, friends and communities will be safe.

“As we have experienced during the recent flooding and last year during Tropical Storm Fay, a storm doesn’t have to be a hurricane to be destructive or deadly.

“We pray that the season remains quiet, but there is a very real possibility of a storm or other natural disaster. The National Hurricane Center is ready, and so are Florida’s emergency management teams. Every Floridian must also be ready.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- FEMA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. -- THE PRESIDENT: Well, for all of you who just joined us, I've just received a briefing here at FEMA at the National Response Coordination Center for our preparations for this year's hurricane season, which begins on Monday. And I want to thank Secretary Napolitano, as well as John Brennan, my Homeland Security Advisor. And we've welcomed Craig Fugate, who has hit the ground running and is already doing an outstanding job not just leading this briefing but leading this excellent agency.

And I want to thank all the people here at FEMA who do such an excellent job for their diligence and their commitment for this task.    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released application guidance for more than $500 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness grants for fire station construction, port and transit security—funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“These Recovery Act funds will strengthen our economy while improving our ability to prepare for terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “The grants announced today will go directly to local projects, revitalizing communities while updating our nation’s infrastructure and enhancing our security.”    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate briefed President Obama today on DHS preparedness efforts and the seasonal forecast for the 2009 hurricane season, which begins Monday.    » read more »