Emergency Preparedness

Virginia is marking National Preparedness Month in September with the launch of Ready Virginia, a coordinated effort to provide vital preparedness information to the people of the Commonwealth.

This new, collaborative effort will unite state government agencies with private sector and local government partners in a statewide public education effort to prepare Virginians for all hazards, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Ready Virginia encourages citizens to prepare for emergencies by taking three easy steps: get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan and stay informed about the hazards that could impact Virginia.

Publications

The FEMA publication Are You Ready? A Guide For Citizen Preparedness, is a 200-page comprehensive guide that walks the reader through a step-by-step approach to getting informed about local emergency plans, how to identify hazards that effect their local area, and how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and disaster supplies kit. Other topics covered include evacuation, emergency public shelters, terrorism threats, animals in disaster, and information specific to people with disabilities. Are You Ready? also provides in-depth information on specific hazards including what to do before, during, and after each hazard type.

Websites for Kids

To have your children take an active interest emergency preparedness, mitigation, and safety, visit these websites:

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website FEMA for Kids include lots of information for kids to learn about disasters, how they can prepare for them, and how they can reduce their impact in a fun and interactive way.
  • The DHS United States Fire Administration also has a website for kids to learn about fire prevention and what everyone should do to be safer at home, USFA's Kids Page.
  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has designed fun activities for kids to explore the planet they live on, including hazardous weather. These activities are linked from the NOAA education webpage and are tailored for children grades K-5 and for grades 6-12.
  • Code Red Rover is the Home Safety Council's website for children that introduces them to Rover, the Home Safety Hound, and delivers interactive games and puzzles to assist children in identifying dangers in and around the home.

Websites for Parents and Teachers

There are also lots of training materials available for teachers to integrate safety messages in course curricula. Visit these websites and ask your children's teacher or school administrator about teaching these programs in your school district.

  • Masters of Disaster developed by the American Red Cross provides curriculum specifically tailored for lower elementary (grades K-2), upper elementary (grades 3-5), and middle school (grades 6-8) classes. For each of the three class groups there is a customized kit that contains–lessons plans, activities, video.
  • CDC - Emergency Preparedness and Response Your online source for credible health information. Topics include: bioterrorism, chemical and radiation emergencies, mass casualties, natural disasters and severe weather and recent outbreaks and incidents.