(ATLANTA) -- A faster and easier way to create an individual or family Ready kit and communications plan is now at your fingertips at www.ready.ga.gov.

The Ready Georgia campaign, which promotes a preparedness and prevention culture in Georgia, has added two new online tools that will enable you to fill out a simple guide to develop your personalized Ready kit and commuications plan.

“We invite all to use the new Ready Georgia online step-by-step tools to create or update your personal preparedness plans,” said Charley English, director of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Georgia Office of Homeland Security. “Many Georgia residents already have essential disaster kit items such as a flashlight, batteries and water stored. However, few have a written plan that includes prescription medications and emergency contact numbers.”
 
Ready Georgia is the state’s preparedness campaign that encourages and educates about disaster planning. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. A severe tropical storm may cause power outages, while a widespread disease such as Pandemic Influenza may confine you to your home.

After creating their plans and kit, Georgia residents are encouraged to share it with friends and families, print it, send it via e-mail or save it in a flash drive that can be kept in a key chain.

“The Division of Public Health is a proud and active partner of the Ready Georgia campaign. During a disaster our mission is to provide health care to the most fragile members of our communities. If patients or caregivers can provide us with copies of prescription medications or let us know about allergies or special needs our response to the victims will be faster and our resources will be better used,” said Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, interim director of the Division of Public Health (DPH) Georgia Department of Human Resources. “We encourage caregivers, and those who work with vulnerable populations to help them fill out these online tools.”

Individuals who have a plan and a disaster kit have better control when a disaster strikes. The best plans are developed before a disaster occurs. Many decisions are easier to make before a disaster strikes, such as which out-of-state number family members will call if local phone lines are overloaded or who will take care of the most fragile members of your family.

For the online tools and more resources visit: www.ready.ga.gov.

About Ready Georgia