In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

On the subject of preparedness ‘carrots’, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Georgia campaign is working with the private sector to provide a free or discounted NOAA Weather Radio for residents who use its new online family preparedness planning tool.

According to the agency’s press release:

…Through July 19, Georgians who visit ready.ga.gov and sign up to use Ready Georgia’s interactive planning tool not only get a customized checklist of emergency supplies and a tailored emergency communications plan, but they are also entered to win one of 200 state-of the-art, digital alert Midland radios – a critical life-saving tool – from WSB-TV.

In addition to being able to win a radio from WSB-TV, Kroger stores statewide are also giving Georgians the opportunity to purchase NOAA Weather Radios at a discount. Throughout hurricane season, Kroger will offer weather radios for just $29.99 (regularly $49.99). A list of Georgia locations can be found at Kroger.com.

GEMA/Homeland Security director Charley English says that NOAA Weather Radios are as crucial to family safety as smoke detectors or alarm systems. In Georgia, 29 transmitters broadcast throughout the state, and approximately 98 percent of Georgia’s population lives within range of a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter.

I like this government-business linkage, because the public is being offered significant incentives — a free or 40%-off a weather radio — to prepare (though of course I would like to see a more extensive partnership.)

200 NOAA weather radios like this are being given away by Ready Georgia.