What is Ready Virginia?

• A statewide public education campaign that encourages Virginians to prepare for emergencies and disasters

• Patterned on the national Ready campaign sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and The Advertising Council

• Goal is to increase Virginia’s level of preparedness by getting residents involved

National Preparedness Month• September 2009 is the sixth annual

National Preparedness Month.

• Ready Virginia supports NPM and encourages public and private organizations to register as Coalition members and to sponsor events.

• The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is a Coalition member.

• Go to www.ready.gov to register. Then you have access to the NPM Web site and toolkit of templates and tips for promoting emergency preparedness.

NPM 2009 Goal

• To change perceptions about emergency preparedness and help Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready

• There is a disconnect in Virginia and the nation. People believe they are ready, but they are not.

Perception vs. Reality

• 71% of Virginians do not have four essentials, which indicate a minimum level of preparedness:

• Three days’ pre-packaged food

• Three days’ water (gallon/person/day)

• Working battery powered radio with NOAA weather band and extra batteries

• Written family emergency plan

During NPM 2009, We Can … • … challenge people’s belief that they are

adequately prepared or can improvise in a disaster/emergency

• … recast personal responsibility in a new light, reminding Virginians that they are “their own first responder”

• … ask Virginians: Are you ready? Are you really Ready?

Why Is Preparedness Important?

• Emergency preparedness is everyone’s responsibility.

• Everyone should have a personal response plan for a disaster.

• Everyone should know who their first responders are at the local and state levels.

• Everyone should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least the first 72 hours.

Let’s Start With a Family Plan• You may not be together when an

emergency happens. Sit down as a family and plan in advance what you will do in an emergency and how you will get in touch with each other. Write it down.

• ReadyVirginia.gov has a template to help you get started.

Consider This in Your Plan• Older Americans and Individuals with

Disabilities or Other Special Needs • Develop an emergency plan that considers

each person’s needs, including a personal support network to call on in the event of an emergency.

• Pets • Plan with neighbors, friends or

relatives to make sure someone is available to care for, or evacuate, your pets if you are unable to do so.

Now Let’s Get Supplies

• Include basic supplies for your family and pets for three days.

• Think about preparing two kits: one for home and a smaller portable kit to take with you if you have to leave.

Emergency Supply KitThe larger at-home kit should include:

Three day supply of food

• Non-perishable - not requiring refrigeration, cooking or water for preparation

• Examples: canned food, granola bars

• Include a manual can opener, if necessary

Three day supply of water

• One gallon per person and pet per day for three days

• Store in clean, sealed plastic bottles

• Need for water can vary based on climate and special needs

Emergency Supply Kit

Radio

• Battery-powered

• With NOAA weather alert function

• Extra batteries

Flashlight

• Extra batteries

First Aid Kit

• With specific items for your family/personal needs

Whistle

• To signal for help if trapped

Wrench or Pliers

• To turn off utilities if necessary

Pet Supplies

• If you have a pet, include pet supplies in your emergency supply kit:

• Food

• Water

• Medicine

• Medical records

• Collar with ID tag

• Harness or leash

• Crate or other pet carrier

• Familiar items such as toys, treats and bedding

• Picture of you with your pet for identification purposes

Stay or Go?• In some situations authorities may

urge you to evacuate.

• Hurricane, flood, fire, etc.

• Know where you are going before you leave. Plan now!

• In other situations, staying where you are and avoiding danger is best.

• If air is contaminated or there are large amounts of debris in the air

• Listen to instructions from local emergency management officials.

Evacuating• Know where you are going. Make a plan.

Choose several destinations in different directions.

• Plan driving routes. Have maps and alternate routes.

• If you do not have a car, know your public transportation options.

• Take your emergency supply kit.• Take your pets. Plan in advance for pet friendly

lodging.

Shelter-in-place

• Get inside.

• Close and lock doors, windows, air vents and fireplace.

• Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.

• Go into an interior room with few windows. Bring your pets with you.

• Take your emergency supply kit.

• Seal all windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape.

Stay Informed

• Learn more about:

• Different types of emergencies and their appropriate responses

• The emergencies that are more likely to affect your area of Virginia

• Emergency plans in your community

• Citizen Corps brings community members and organizations together in emergency preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery.

• Contact Virginia’s Citizen Corps program manager, to find out more about outreach and education, training and exercises, and volunteer programs.

• (804) 897-6500, ext. 6594

• linda.rubin@vdem.virginia.gov

• OR contact your local Citizen Corps Council. Go to www.citizencorps.gov for more.

Get Involved

Get Ready today!

• To learn more about how to prepare yourself and your family, visit www.ReadyVirginia.gov and www.ListoVirginia.gov