State and Federal Governments Ask, "Are You Ready?"
Part of a series on Hurricane Preparedness in Texas
Release Date: March 29, 2006
Release Number: 1606-176
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AUSTIN, Texas -- Hurricane preparedness is a collective effort shared by all who are affected by disastrous storms, according to officials from the Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The FEMA guide, Are You Ready? can help individuals plan and prepare for the up-coming hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 though Nov. 30 each year.
Are You Ready? is an in-depth guide to help individuals prepare for disasters of any kind, both natural and man-made. The guide is especially prepared for the general public and covers easy and practical disaster specific steps including emergency planning, assembling disaster supply kits, evacuation, sheltering, mitigation, animals in disaster and recovery. It also advises individuals with special needs on how to prepare for the unexpected.
"State emergency personnel will respond quickly to the scene of a disaster," said GDEM Recovery Administrator Duke Mazurek. "It really helps if individuals and families do their part by planning ahead for hurricane season. A family that plans ahead will be better prepared before, during and after a hurricane."
Are You Ready? is available in English and Spanish, free, through the FEMA publications warehouse by calling, toll-free, 1-800-480-2520 and requesting publication IS-22 , or DHS's Be Ready toll-free number, 1-800-Be Ready (1-800-237-3239), where you also can order free Ready Kids in-school materials. Are You Ready? also is available to view online and in portable document format (.pdf) at www.ready.gov or via the FEMA Web site, www.fema.gov , where you also can download supply kit lists and family communication plans.
"When it comes to being ready for the upcoming hurricane season, there is no substitute for knowing how to keep yourself, your home, business and family safe," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman." Are You Ready? is an invaluable resource for citizens, organizations, public libraries and emergency preparedness agencies."
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: Thursday, 25-May-2006 09:40:00