Updated Website Has Free Resources for Emergencies
from the Department of Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign has launched an updated version of its website, www.ready.gov, to educate Americans about the simple steps they should take to be ready for a variety of emergencies.

The redesigned Ready Website includes updated emergency preparedness resources, including special preparedness information for pet owners, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.

However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.

In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.

Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

“All Americans have a responsibility to take steps now to be prepared for emergencies whether they are caused by nature or by man,” said Homeland Security’s Under Secretary for Preparedness George W. Foresman.