Don't drop the ball -
make a resolution to be personally prepared for emergencies!
The Federal Emergency
Management Agency is encouraging all Americans to Resolve to be Ready in this
new year by taking simple steps to prepare for emergencies.
As a recent report by
the National Climatic Data Center highlights, 2011 saw more billion-dollar
natural disasters than any year on record. The U.S. experienced its first
hurricane landfall since 2008, the most deadly series of tornadoes since the
1950s, significant earthquakes and severe flooding - hazards that impacted every
region of the country. All of these events have served as important reminders
that disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, and being prepared is one of the
most effective things we can do to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones.
FEMA's Region III's
Administrator MaryAnn Tierney is urging everyone to make a New Year's resolution
to be prepared through three simple steps: get an emergency supply kit, make an
emergency plan, and be informed of the hazards in your area.
"One of the most
important lessons we can take away from 2011's devastating storms such as
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee is that disasters can impact all of us,
no matter what part of the country we live in," said Tierney.
"They can range from flooding and earthquakes to
tornadoes.
While we can't control where or when they might hit, we can take
steps in advance to prepare for them - everyone's proactive preparedness efforts
can go a long way toward protecting and empowering families, businesses, homes
and entire communities to become their own emergency managers. Resolving to be
Ready in 2012 could be the most important pledge you make this year."
Americans across the
country have already proven that making emergency preparations in advance can
pay off.
By making a resolution
to take a few preparedness steps in advance, you can minimize the impact of an
emergency on you, your family, or your businesses.
For more information
on how to get prepared, visit: