Resolve to be READY

WASHINGTON - As 2011 - one of the most active years for disasters in
recent history - comes to a close and Americans get ready to ring in a
new year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is encouraging all
Americans to Resolve to be Ready in the by making a new year's
resolution to be prepared for emergencies.

As a recent report by the National Climatic Data Center highlights,
2011 has seen more billion-dollar natural disasters than any year on
record. This year alone, 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.

Today, FEMA kicked off its annual campaign, Resolve to be Ready in
2012, which urges Americans to make preparedness a priority during the
holiday season by making a new year's resolution to be ready for
disasters or by thinking about preparedness tools for last minute gift
ideas.

"One of the most important lessons we can take away from this year is
that disasters can impact all of us, no matter what part of the
country we live in," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "While we
can't control where or when they might hit, we can take steps in
advance to prepare for them - efforts that can go a long way toward
protecting our families, homes and business. Resolving to be Ready in
2012 could be the most important pledge you make this year."
By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance,
Americans can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families,
homes or businesses. To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve
or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists, and
guidelines about how to put together a kit, make a plan, and stay
informed.

Resolve to be Ready in 2012 is a nationwide effort to increase
awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses, and
communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the New
Year. This effort is led by FEMA's Ready Campaign in partnership with
Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council. For more information, visit
Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov or follow the campaign on Twitter using
the hashtags #ready2012 and #resolve.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to
ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and
improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to,
recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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