Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Ready.gov Helps You Learn How.
WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ad Council kick off National Preparedness Month with new public service announcements for the Ready Campaign. While a high percentage of people are taking at least one action to prepare, only 46 percent take three actions. The new campaign provides simple actions that lead to life-saving, self-reliance and resilience in times of unexpected emergencies.
“National Preparedness Month serves as a springboard for building a culture of preparedness,” says FEMA Administrator Brock Long. “Now is the time to expand our preparedness planning beyond having a communication plan, to include becoming financially ready for the unexpected costs associated with disasters. Make sure to have adequate insurance coverage, and learn a life-saving skill like CPR.”
The campaign this year encourages families to create and communicate an emergency plan, learn life-saving skills, check their insurance coverage and save for emergencies. Ad agency Wordsworth and Booth created pro bono radio spots, print and out-of-home ads. The TV and digital component of the campaign will feature videos with disaster preparedness tips to run on broadcast TV and Facebook.
“These videos instill an emotional connection to the importance of preparedness by featuring sentimental objects left behind after disasters,” says Ad Council CEO, Lisa Sherman. “Knowing what my family and I would do in a disaster gives me peace-of-mind, and I believe this campaign will equip families across America with the resources and encouragement to plan ahead.”
This round of creative work for the Ready Campaign follows 15 years of educating the American public about disaster and emergency preparedness. In that time, $1.6 billion in donated media enabled the campaign to reach millions of Americans, and encouraged more than 100 million visits to the campaign’s website (Ready.gov) by people taking proactive steps to prepare.
Each week of National Preparedness Month, the Ready Campaign will emphasize a unique aspect of preparedness:
- September 1—8: Make and Practice Your Plan
- September 9—15: Learn Life Saving Skills
- September 16—22: Check Your Coverage
- September 23—29: Save for an Emergency
Join the National Day of Action on September 15.
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Editor’s Note: FEMA has made historic disaster footage available to media at the following location: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/multimedia/collections/641.
This collection contains historical footage from: 2017: Response and recovery for hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the California wildfires; 2011: Joplin, MO, tornado; 1994: Northridge Earthquake.
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.
Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.twitter.com/FEMAespanol, https://www.facebook.com/FEMA, www.facebook.com/FEMAespanol and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Brock Long’s activities at www.twitter.com/fema_brock.
The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
The Ad Council
The Ad Council brings together the most creative minds in advertising and media to address the most worthy causes. Its innovative, pro bono social good campaigns raise awareness. They inspire action. They save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org, follow the Ad Council's communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.
Media Contacts
Ad Council
Shirley Yeung, Director, PR & Social Media
syeung@adcouncil.org