Ready Georgia
Encyclopedia
Ready Georgia is a statewide emergency preparedness campaign in the U.S. state of Georgia
instituted by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency
(GEMA) and Governor Sonny Perdue
in conjunction with the national Ready America campaign sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). Ready Georgia is supported by The Ad Council
, local volunteer organizations, and corporate partnerships.
and man-made disasters that threaten the state. Ready Georgia intends to "promote a preparedness and prevention culture" in Georgia through public education and outreach. The campaign specifically encourages residents to be prepared so they can safely oversee their own evacuation and maintain self-sufficiency for a full three days after an emergency.
, which is essential in maintaining awareness and self-sufficiency in the wake of a disaster. Through a partnership with the Home Depot
corporation, Ready Georgia has been able to put on state-wide workshops that teach children about disaster preparedness. Utilizing its Web site, Ready Georgia has also been able to provide a tool that can assist users in calculating exactly how much food and water they will need for their own kits. Notable Georgians such as Atlanta Falcons
fullback Ovie Mughelli
, NASCAR
Sprint Cup driver David Ragan
, and former Atlanta Braves
outfielder Jeff Francoeur
participated by creating profiles on Ready Georgia's Web site letting Georgians know what is in their ready kits.
Georgia's 5th graders were able to enter a Ready Georgia art and essay contest, for which they were asked to submit work demonstrating how they are their families would prepare for a variety of disasters. The winners received their own ready kits from Home Depot
, as well as personal and school recognition on Ready Georgias Web site.
In 2009, Ready Georgia was able to provide Georgia residents with 200 NOAA weather radio receivers at no cost and many more at a reduced price, in an effort to acknowledge and address the fact that economically disadvantaged citizens face greater challenges in the face of a disaster and are often unprepared.
Ready Georgia has additionally sought to address the economic impact of disasters through the development of materials stressing the importance of proper business continuity planning
to Georgia based businesses. This is especially critical in the Atlanta metro area, which is home to the fourth most Fortune 500 company headquarters among all cities in America.
, resulting in a state of emergency being declared for 17 counties. Awareness and preparation are critical elements of an effective response to flood
ing, which often necessitates evacuation and cuts off access to supplies of food and clean water. The importance of flood insurance
in mitigating the social and economic damage caused by flooding is another awareness and preparedness issue for anyone facing the prospect of flooding; Ready Georgia has sought to address all of these issues.
H1N1 influenza, known commonly as "swine flu", has been a health issue of public concern since early 2009, and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization
. The Georgia Department of Community Health Division of Public Health and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency have used the Ready Georgia campaign to disseminate preparedness information to Georgians.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
instituted by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency
Georgia Emergency Management Agency
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency or GEMA is the emergency management agency for the U.S. state of Georgia. Its function is similar to that of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in preparing for and responding to disasters, and mitigating potential hazards....
(GEMA) and Governor Sonny Perdue
Sonny Perdue
George Ervin "Sonny" Perdue III, was the 81st Governor of Georgia. Upon his inauguration in January 2003, he became the first Republican governor of Georgia since Benjamin F. Conley served during Reconstruction in the 1870s....
in conjunction with the national Ready America campaign sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA). Ready Georgia is supported by The Ad Council
Ad Council
The Advertising Council, commonly known as the Ad Council, is an American non-profit organization that distributes public service announcements on behalf of various sponsors, including non-profit organizations and agencies of the United States government....
, local volunteer organizations, and corporate partnerships.
Mission
GEMA created the Ready Georgia campaign in response to survey data revealing that nearly 80 percent of Georgia residents had not taken even the most basic steps towards being prepared for the wide range of naturalNatural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
and man-made disasters that threaten the state. Ready Georgia intends to "promote a preparedness and prevention culture" in Georgia through public education and outreach. The campaign specifically encourages residents to be prepared so they can safely oversee their own evacuation and maintain self-sufficiency for a full three days after an emergency.
Education and outreach
One of Ready Georgia's primary concerns is ensuring that individuals and households have an adequately stocked ready kitSurvival kit
A survival kit is a package of basic tools and supplies prepared in advance as an aid to survival in an emergency. Military aircraft, lifeboats, and spacecraft are equipped with survival kits....
, which is essential in maintaining awareness and self-sufficiency in the wake of a disaster. Through a partnership with the Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
corporation, Ready Georgia has been able to put on state-wide workshops that teach children about disaster preparedness. Utilizing its Web site, Ready Georgia has also been able to provide a tool that can assist users in calculating exactly how much food and water they will need for their own kits. Notable Georgians such as Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
fullback Ovie Mughelli
Ovie Mughelli
Ovie Phillip Mughelli is an American football fullback for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He signed a 6-year, $18 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus on March 2, 2007 with the Falcons...
, NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup driver David Ragan
David Ragan
David Ragan, , is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He has previously driven the #6 Roush Fenway Racing ford, but is currently looking for a ride for the 2012 season...
, and former Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
outfielder Jeff Francoeur
Jeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
participated by creating profiles on Ready Georgia's Web site letting Georgians know what is in their ready kits.
Georgia's 5th graders were able to enter a Ready Georgia art and essay contest, for which they were asked to submit work demonstrating how they are their families would prepare for a variety of disasters. The winners received their own ready kits from Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
, as well as personal and school recognition on Ready Georgias Web site.
In 2009, Ready Georgia was able to provide Georgia residents with 200 NOAA weather radio receivers at no cost and many more at a reduced price, in an effort to acknowledge and address the fact that economically disadvantaged citizens face greater challenges in the face of a disaster and are often unprepared.
Ready Georgia has additionally sought to address the economic impact of disasters through the development of materials stressing the importance of proper business continuity planning
Business continuity
Business continuity is the activity performed by an organization to ensure that critical business functions will be available to customers, suppliers, regulators, and other entities that must have access to those functions. These activities include many daily chores such as project management,...
to Georgia based businesses. This is especially critical in the Atlanta metro area, which is home to the fourth most Fortune 500 company headquarters among all cities in America.
Emergencies addressed since inception
In September 2009, Georgia experienced significant flooding2009 Georgia (U.S. state) floods
The 2009 Southeastern United States floods were a group of floods that affected several counties throughout northern Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Some of the worst flooding took place most around the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, resulting in a state of emergency being declared for 17 counties. Awareness and preparation are critical elements of an effective response to flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing, which often necessitates evacuation and cuts off access to supplies of food and clean water. The importance of flood insurance
Flood insurance
Flood insurance denotes the specific insurance coverage against property loss from flooding. To determine risk factors for specific properties, insurers will often refer to topographical maps that denote lowlands, floodplains and floodways that are susceptible to flooding.-Hidden floods:Nationwide,...
in mitigating the social and economic damage caused by flooding is another awareness and preparedness issue for anyone facing the prospect of flooding; Ready Georgia has sought to address all of these issues.
H1N1 influenza, known commonly as "swine flu", has been a health issue of public concern since early 2009, and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
. The Georgia Department of Community Health Division of Public Health and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency have used the Ready Georgia campaign to disseminate preparedness information to Georgians.