“Preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with the American people,” said Napolitano. “These public service advertisements highlight the simple steps everyone can take to prepare for disasters, enhancing the safety and security of our country.”
Produced pro bono by advertising agency Cramer-Krasselt in conjunction with the Ad Council, the new PSAs – produced for television, radio, print, outdoor and the Web –direct audiences to visit http://www.ready.gov to find national and local preparedness information and resources.
The Ready Campaign encourages Americans to take three simple steps to prepare for emergencies: Put together an emergency supply kit; make a family emergency plan; and get informed about the types of emergencies that could take place in their communities and appropriate responses.
“Emergency response is a team effort, and the most important member of that team is the public,” said Fugate. “The truth is, the more the public does now to prepare, the better we can respond in the future. That’s why we are launching PSAs, encouraging Americans to visit Ready.gov and learn how they can do their part to prepare.”
Napolitano unveiled the new PSAs at an event in New York City’s Times Square, joined by New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Bruno, American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern, American Red Cross of Greater New York CEO Theresa Bischoff and Ad Council President and CEO Peggy Conlon.
In addition to the national Ready PSAs launched today, New York City’s new public service campaign – Ready New York – also was announced to encourage all New Yorkers to prepare for emergencies. The national Ready ads have also been localized for a number of other cities, including Austin, Tex.; Atlanta; Chicago; Eugene, Ore.; Houston; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles; and San Francisco, as well as the states of Utah and Virginia and the U.S. Navy and U.S. Virgin Islands.
To view the PSAs and for more information on the Ready Campaign, visit http://www.ready.gov or follow “ReadydotGov” on Twitter. For additional emergency preparedness information, visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus.