Emergency Preparedness - New York City

Sponsor Organization: NYC Office of Emergency Management
Campaign Website: www.readynyc.org, www.listonyc.org
Volunteer Agency: Cramer-Krasselt

With three simple steps – (1) Get a Kit; (2) Make a Plan; (3) Be Informed – New Yorkers can significantly reduce the impact of emergencies on themselves, their families and their businesses.

According to a 2010 NYC Office of Emergency Management survey, 40 percent of New Yorkers said they did not feel prepared for an emergency, such as a natural disaster, fire, power outage or act of terrorism. Additionally, 41 percent said they did not have any form of household emergency plan, and 68 percent did not have all of the recommended emergency supplies.

Recent events such as the tragic earthquake in Haiti, the Tennessee floods, and other natural disasters highlight the need for an initiative to encourage citizens to prepare for emergencies. In New York City, with its more than 8.2 million diverse residents, the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has developed a comprehensive preparedness campaign. The campaign is designed to encourage all New Yorkers to prepare for emergencies - anything from fires, floods and building collapses to more catastrophic incidents such as a hurricane or terrorist attack.

The Ready New York City campaign directs audiences to www.ReadyNYC.org and www.ListoNYC.org, respectively, where New Yorkers will find tools and information to take the necessary steps to be prepared.