Activities Planned Across the Nation for National Preparedness Month

Throughout the month of September, the Department of Homeland Security, along with more than 80 organizations and all 56 states and territories, are encouraging Americans to prepare themselves, their businesses and their families for emergencies during National Preparedness Month.

“National Preparedness Month will give everyone an opportunity to work toward a better prepared America,” says Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge. “This broad coalition and vast number of activities and events will allow us to reach millions of individuals and inform them about ways they can prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.”

Kicking off the month is a launch scheduled for 11:00 am tomorrow morning, September 9, on the grounds of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The DHS says all of the National Preparedness Month partner organizations will be there, along with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Representatives Christopher Cox (R-CA) and Jane Harman (D-CA).

Other events and activities scheduled this month include: the American Red Cross’ “Together We Prepare Saturday;” the America Prepared Campaign’s short film contest; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s distribution of preparedness information to its members; the National Association of Broadcasters’ launch of the “Are You Ready?” guidebook; and a number of other state and territorial activities.

For more information on National Preparedness Month, as well as a full listing of activities, visit the DHS website at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3964