Get Ready Day Aims To Help Communities To Be Prepared

Hurricanes Gustav and
Ike and menacing tropical storms Hannah remind us of the importance of
ensuring that we and our loved ones are prepared for any possible public
health emergencies. With this in mind, the American Public Health
Association (APHA) will host Get Ready Day events across the nation on
Sept. 16 to encourage Americans to be prepared.



APHA joins the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in recognizing
September as National Preparedness Month (NPM). APHA, in conjunction with
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' "Take the Lead" campaign,
will recognize NPM through various Get Ready Day events across the nation.
The events are aimed at helping Americans prepare themselves, their
families and their communities for all hazards, including disasters,
pandemic flu and other emerging infectious diseases.



"In recognition of the importance of ensuring that individuals and
communities are prepared for any sort of emergency they may face, we
applaud APHA in sponsoring Get Ready Day events around the nation," said
Admiral Joxel Garcia, assistant secretary for health of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. "From teaching families about pandemic flu to
showing kids how to help pack an emergency kit, Get Ready Day activities
are a great way to recognize National Preparedness Month and help
communities prepare."



Held each year on the third Tuesday in September, Get Ready Day is an
opportunity for communities around the nation to hold events aimed at
helping Americans prepare themselves. APHA members, affiliated state and
regional public health associations, partners and others will work together
to plan Get Ready Day activities that are targeted to their specific
community's needs. Scheduled events include an after-school community
preparedness fair for students, parents and families; educational games for
kids teaching them how to prepare for emergencies; blog entries on the
importance of preparedness; and much more. Get Ready Day ideas, materials
and resources are available at
getreadyforflu/getreadyday/getreadyday08.htm.



"Last year, we had great success with the first-ever Get Ready Day,"
said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA.
"We hope to build on that success this year and reach out to even more
Americans with the message of the importance of being prepared for any
emergencies we may face."



National Preparedness Month is held each September and is designed to
encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in
their homes, businesses and communities. NPM coalition members, consisting
of national, regional, state, and local organizations, will combine efforts
throughout the month of September to encourage all Americans to take steps
to get ready for emergencies before they happen. APHA, one of almost 3,000
members of the NPM coalition, will celebrate by hosting Get Ready Day
activities across the nation.



The Get Ready campaign, sponsored by APHA, provides information,
resources and tools so that all individuals, families and communities in
the United States are more prepared for a potential influenza pandemic,
outbreak of an emerging infectious disease or other hazard or disasters.
Learn more at getreadyforflu.


American Public Health Association

getreadyforflu