Disaster Preparedness Costs Little, Saves A Lot
Release Date: October 26, 2009
Release Number: 1858-054
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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.”
The GEMA Web site – www.ready.ga.gov – includes an emergency kit checklist,
interactive games for children and information for businesses on how to prepare
for a disaster. The GEMA site includes a Google Translate link that will
translate Web pages into other languages.
“Emergency preparedness is a matter of priorities,” said FEMA Federal
Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech. “A family first aid kit typically costs
less than dinner for two at a restaurant. It’s worth cooking at home one night
to keep your family safe.”
An emergency preparedness kit needs to include food and water for each member
of the family for three days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight,
spare batteries, first aid kit, non-electric can opener, local maps, moist
towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal
sanitation.
Other items to consider include sleeping bags or blankets, paper towels,
books, puzzles and games for children and pet food for family pets. It’s helpful
to have cash in case banks are closed and ATMs are not operating.
The emergency supplies can be stored in an easy-to-carry plastic storage
container or duffel bag, making them easy to grab and go when an emergency
forces people to leave their home.
Putting together an emergency kit isn’t expensive. Many of the items usually
can be found in the home.
More information on emergency preparedness, including how to put together a
family communication plan, can be found at FEMA’s emergency preparedness Web
site www.Ready.gov or http://www.listo.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.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color,
religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic
status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA
toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
