FEMA Teams Up With Minor League Baseball And The Boy Scouts To Help Families Prepare For Emergencies
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA News Desk
Contact: 202-646-3272
For Immediate Release
July 17, 2009
WASHINGTON – On the heels of the 2009 All-Star Game, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is joining with Minor League Baseball and the Boy Scouts of America to kick off the second half of their campaign to ensure fans and their families are Ready when emergencies strike.
In partnership with FEMA’s Ready Campaign, dozens of baseball teams and local Boy Scout councils across the nation are stepping up to the plate and encouraging fans to prepare for all types of emergencies and disasters. The Ready Campaign is a national public awareness effort designed to help Americans prepare their families before the next emergency or disaster, by making a kit and getting a plan.
“As we enter hurricane season, the partnership with Minor League Baseball will help educate thousands of baseball fans about the need to prepare our families now, before disaster strikes,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Preparing your family now, will have an impact on the outcome of the next disaster. That’s why through FEMA’s Ready Campaign we are encouraging all Americans to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur in their areas. We appreciate the continued support of Minor League Baseball, the Boy Scouts and all of the organizations helping us to spread this criticalmessage to American families.”
"Minor League Baseball is proud to team up with the Boys Scouts of America in advancing the Ready Campaign,” said Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner. “Through the years we have seen Minor League Baseball communities seriously impacted by hurricanes and other natural disasters. We are convinced the Ready Campaign is a valuable resource to citizens in harms way, and our teams enthusiastically support spreading this important message."
Throughout the 2009 season, Minor League Baseball teams are participating in a variety of ways, including featuring the Ready public service advertisements on their monitors and in game programs, as well as partnering with local Boy Scouts, Emergency Management Agencies and Citizen Corps Councils to distribute Ready’s emergency preparedness materials. These brochures and educational materials provide valuable information to help individuals and families prepare for emergencies and are also available at www.ready.gov.
Local Boy Scouts taking part in this effort can work toward earning their Emergency Preparedness merit badge and a Good Turn for America Award, which fosters joint community service projects between the Boy Scouts and organizations like the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Personal preparedness is a fundamental principle we teach all of our scouts, so it makes great sense that our scouts would help share that message with others through our partnership with the Ready Campaign,” said Bob Mazzuca, chief scout executive of the Boy Scouts of America.
To learn more about how your local team can get involved and to find out what teams are doing, please visit www.ready.gov.
Upcoming Events
- Altoona Curve - On August 1, The Curve will host a Scout Sleepover night. The scouts plan to distribute Ready materials to fans in attendance at that day’s game.
- Mahoning Valley Scrappers - On August 14, The Scrappers will host Scout Night and share information about the Ready Campaign. The Scouts are exited to help by distributing Ready materials to fans. In the past, about 200 Scouts were in attendance for Scout Night, plus their families. The Scrappers are looking forward to another fun and successful year.
- Mississippi Braves - During this year’s Ready Campaign Awareness Night at Trustmark Park, emergency management persons will be on-site to hand out materials on August 18. Local Boy Scouts will also be helping with the event, and trivia will take place between innings.
- Everett AquaSox - The AquaSox are hosting two events to support the Ready Campaign during the 2009 season. The first took place on June 25 when the City of Everett Emergency Management Department hosted a booth with information about emergency preparedness and the Ready Campaign. They will again share emergency preparedness information with fans on September 2. At that game, they will give fans an up-close look at an ambulance and fire truck, and will sponsor a giveaway with fun prizes.
- Williamsport Crosscutters -- The team will be sharing Ready Campaign materials periodically at games throughout the summer.
Teams That Already Have Stepped to the Plate
- Pawtucket Red Sox - On May 2, the Pawtucket Red Sox hosted Safety Day. They partnered with local law enforcement officials, emergency services, and FEMA’s Ready Campaign to educate their fans about safety awareness and emergency preparedness. They distributed thousands of materials to fans including coloring books and DVDs for kids, and pamphlets about disaster preparedness for families.
- Kannapolis Intimidators - The Kannapolis Intimidators held their annual emergency preparedness event on Saturday, May 30. Educational announcements were made before and during the game about what it truly means to be “Ready,” which includes getting a kit, making a plan, being informed and getting involved. During the announcements, the team encouraged fans to stop by their emergency preparedness booth to receive Ready Campaign information.
- Carolina Mudcats - On Friday, June 12, the Carolina Mudcats distributed Ready materials at the stadium gates, aired the Ready Public Service Announcements (PSAs) during the night’s game, and hosted Scout Campout for local Boy Scouts. Troops were invited for an evening of baseball, food, Friday Night Fireworks sponsored by Capital Bank, an in-stadium movie, and a campout at Muddy’s Pond.
- Bowie Baysox - The Bowie Baysox hosted their annual Boy Scout Night and Campout on June 19, where the scouts were able to assist in the dissemination of Ready Campaign materials. The game against the New Britain Rockcats was followed by a fireworks show.
February 2009 marked the Ready Campaign's sixth year at the Department of Homeland Security. The campaign is now managed under the Department's Federal Emergency Management Agency. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in Ad Council's more than 66-year history. Since its launch, the Ready Campaign has generated more than $756.5 million in donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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