In Case of Emergency, Read This Blog

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A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness

Ready.Gov/Ad Council PSA’s Launched Today; Urge Americans To Prepare In Case Disaster Turns Their “World Upside Down”

September 2nd, 2009 · 1 Comment

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate and the Ad Council to launch a new series of Ready Campaign public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to encourage all Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies, kicking off September’s National Preparedness Month.

“Preparedness is a shared responsibility that begins with the American people,” said Secretary Napolitano. “These public service advertisements highlight the simple steps everyone can take to prepare for disasters, enhancing the safety and security of our country.”

The theme of the PSAs is “World Upside Down” underscoring that a disaster can turn one’s life upside down. The PSA urges audiences to get a kit, make a plan and be informed. Below is one of the spots from the Ad Council’s YouTube site:

A READY.GOV/AD COUNCIL “WORLD UPSIDE DOWN” PSA

Produced pro bono by advertising agency Cramer-Krasselt in conjunction with the Ad Council, the new Ready PSAs-produced for television, radio, print, outdoor and the Web-direct audiences to visit 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: (1) Put together an emergency supply kit; (2) Make a family emergency plan; and (3) Get informed about the types of emergencies that could take place in their communities and appropriate responses.

In addition to the national Ready PSAs launched today, New York City’s new public service campaign-Ready New York-was also 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, Texas, 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.

Initiated in 2003, the Ready Campaign is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all emergencies in order to raise the level of basic preparedness across the nation. In addition to outreach via traditional media, Ready also provides a series of social media tools to help Americans prepare for emergencies, including a downloadable family emergency plan, an interactive widget that provides users with updates on emergency situations, emergency kit checklists, and preparedness guidelines. To view the PSAs and for more information on the Ready Campaign, visit www.ready.gov or follow “ReadydotGov” on Twitter.

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Tags: Preparedness Advertising

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 Noelle // Feb 17, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    I actually saw these ad posters on the way to work and they did make me a bit nervous. I assumed that they were warnings from the governmnet to prepare for another terrorist attack that may be happening soon. Reading this article has helped alleviate my fear somewhat. I now carry a small flashlight in my purse everyday and am considering coming up with an emergency plan. You just never know…

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