Take Part in America's PrepareAthon! Lead the Transformation
America's PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to prepare for specific hazards through drills, group discussions, and exercises. America's PrepareAthon! National Day of Action is April 30. Join the almost five million, who have already registered to take actions and prepare for tornadoes, wildfires, floods and hurricanes.
What can you do to be part of this day? You can create or join an event that transforms your organization from preparedness planners to action takers! Once you have registered for America's PrepareAthon!, check out the events calendar which allows you to:
- Add your own event for others to see; and
- Find an event in your area in which to participate.
Get started today and do something to take part on April 30 ! Plan your own local community or organizational preparedness event to learn the actions to take for disaster preparedness and practice them. The America's PrepareAthon! website offers posters, web badges, and digital invitations to customize your event. If you want to share with others what you are doing to be prepared, participate in discussion forums online with like-minded community members.
For more information and ideas, check out the America's PrepareAthon! frequently asked questions , talking points and other resources .
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Road Rules: Driver Safety during Tornadoes
Tornadoes are one of nature's most violent storms. They generate from powerful thunderstorms and cause overwhelming destruction in minutes. Today is the day to take action with America's PrepareAthon ! which highlights tornado preparedness, among other hazards, on the April 30 National Day of Action.
Did you know that the first action to take when a tornado strikes is to seek shelter? When the emergency alarm sounds, what action do you take if you are in a car and unable to safely leave the vehicle?
Test your tornado knowledge then get smart on tornado awareness and preparedness! Download “ How to Prepare for a Tornado ” , a hazard-specific guide that provides information on the basics of tornadoes, how to protect yourself and your property, and what actions to take now.
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Are You a Pet Parent?
Pets, whether fuzzy, hairy or scaly, are important members of your family. Just like you, your pet can be negatively affected by a disaster. May 8 is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day and, in support of America's PrepareAthon !, h eadquartered in Philadelphia, FEMA Region III is promoting the #Petpared Twitter Challenge that will run through April 30. The goal is to encourage pet owners to take action in preparing for a pet's unique needs before, during and after a disaster.
There are five easy steps pet owners can take to drastically increase their pet's resiliency to disasters:
- Build a pet emergency kit ;
- ID your pet with a collar and tag or consider microchipping;
- Practice evacuating in the car or determine where to shelter-in-place with your pet;
- Create a buddy system with a relative or friend to help each other's pets in case one of you is away from home during an emergency; and
- Download a preparedness app .
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to protect your pet during a disaster. For more information, tune in May 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST to the #Petpared Twitter Chat!
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Take Action through Ready Campus Events
Take Action! This positive step forward is what America's PrepareAthon! is all about. Taking action is something we all can do and the students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kansas State University are leading by example. The universities took part in America's PrepareAthon! by holding separate Ready Campus events that demonstrated the vast resources available to students before, during, and after a disaster. Preparedness organizations at the event had students:
- Practice processing through a mock Volunteer Reception Center;
- Register for disaster information alerts and social media feeds on their cell phones;
- Receive information and supplies for emergency kits; and
- Build emergency preparedness hygiene kits for less fortunate individuals.
Have you held a similar event or does this sound like an action from which your campus or organization would benefit? Participate in America's PrepareAthon! This campaign is customizable and allows participants to choose a hazard to practice preparedness actions. Organize an event and register it on America's PrepareAthon's “ Add an Event ” webpage today!
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Dates for Your Calendar!
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