Resolve To Be Ready In 2006
FEMA and MEMA Urge Mississippians to Make Emergency Preparedness Their New Years Resolution
Release Date: December 30, 2005
Release Number: 1604-196
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JACKSON, Miss. -- On December 31, 2005 nearly half of all adults in this country will make at least one New Year’s resolution. While Mississippi continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) encourage Mississippians to make a resolution that is both important and easy to keep – preparing for emergencies.
“Hurricane Katrina raised awareness for the need to be prepared for severe weather. If you and your family do not have an emergency preparedness plan already, now is the time to make one,” said Robert Latham, Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
“As 2006 approaches, we continue to look for innovative ways to empower families and businesses to prepare for emergencies,” said Nick Russo, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer for Mississippi. “In this time when Americans are making resolutions to better their lives, the message of preparedness is truly fitting. Making an emergency plan for their home or business is just one of the simple steps individuals can take to help ensure that they are as prepared as possible if an emergency occurs.”
The likelihood of an individual or business surviving a natural or manmade disaster greatly depends upon the tools and plans in place to make it on their own for a period of time no matter where they are when a disaster strikes. All Mississippians should begin a process of learning about potential threats to better prepare for and react during an attack, natural disaster or other emergency.
Below are simple things you can do now to prepare yourself and loved ones:
- Assemble an emergency supply kit.
- Develop a family communications plan.
- Plan ahead on what to do if you decide to stay put or get away.
- Locate and discuss the best emergency shelter in your home and neighborhood.
- Become familiar with emergency plans at work, school and daycare centers.
- Employers, make sure the workplace has a building evacuation plan that is regularly practiced.
To learn more on how to prepare your family and work place for emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks, visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Materials, including supply kit suggested supplies, family communication plan templates and sample business continuity plans, are available on the website and in the brochure providing Americans with the resources needed to make New Year’s resolutions that will bring peace of mind.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 30-Dec-2005 16:03:21