[KL7AA] ==> FIFTH ANNUAL NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH COMING IN SEPTEMBER

[Jim Larsen - AL7FS]

Here is a chance to take emergency preparedness steps. Even small steps 
help.

73, Jim
-- 
Jim Larsen, AL7FS
ARRL Alaska SM - AL7FS at arrl.org
http://www.AL7FS.us/
Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 345-3190

5th ANNUAL NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

COMING This SEPTEMBER

SIGN UP YOUR CLUB or ARES GROUP NOW! Groups and individuals can register 
to become members by visiting www.ready.gov, and clicking on the 
National Preparedness Month banner. Good public relations for your 
groups and easy to do.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today 
that more than 1,200 national, regional, state and local businesses and 
organizations have pledged their support and joined the 2008 National 
Preparedness Month Coalition. Sponsored by the department’s Ready 
Campaign, National Preparedness Month helps to raise awareness and 
promote action by Americans, businesses, and communities on emergency 
preparedness.

“As we approach our fifth National Preparedness Month, I want to thank 
the hundreds of coalition members who are making a difference in their 
communities by helping raise the basic level of preparedness in our 
country,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Individual 
preparedness is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness. Experience 
shows that if Americans take steps ahead of time, they stand a much 
better chance of coming through an emergency unharmed and recovering 
more quickly.”

The Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps (www.citizencorps.gov) are 
specifically encouraging individuals across the nation to take important 
preparedness steps. These steps include: getting an emergency supply 
kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about the different 
emergencies that may affect them, as well as taking the necessary steps 
to get trained and become engaged in community preparedness and response 
efforts.

National Preparedness Month Coalition members have agreed to distribute 
emergency preparedness information and sponsor activities across the 
country that will promote emergency preparedness. Membership is open to 
all public and private sector organizations. Groups and individuals can 
register to become members by visiting www.ready.gov, and clicking on 
the National Preparedness Month banner.

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman 
Joseph I. Lieberman and Ranking Member Susan M. Collins, along with 
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and 
Ranking Member Peter T. King, will serve as honorary Congressional 
Co-Chairs of National Preparedness Month 2008. Together, they will lead 
the effort to increase public awareness about the importance of 
emergency preparedness on Capitol Hill and throughout the country.
For more information on the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness 
Month, please visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information is also 
available by phone at 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO.

February 2008 marked the Ready Campaign’s fifth year at the Department 
of Homeland Security. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The 
Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans 
to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters 
and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most 
successful campaigns in Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since 
its launch, the campaign has generated more than $703.2 million in 
donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about 
family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or 
call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials.
Linking up with the Ready.gov people and participating in September’s 
National Preparedness Month, is an easy win. The federal people are 
already doing all the hard work. All you really have to do is sign up. 
Most clubs and ARES groups are already doing activities which fit into 
their structure, so why not get credit for your actions? Of course if 
you do something more with this opportunity, so much the better! But you 
have to sign your group in and no one can do that for you. There are 
hundreds of ARES groups and clubs in the country. Wouldn’t it be fun to 
have even 70% of them sign up and get noticed? Go to www.ready.gov, and 
click on the National Preparedness Month banner.

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