September is National Preparedness Month and the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency is advising Rockdale County to get ready for all man-made and natural disasters.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready America campaign, National Preparedness Month was founded after 9/11 to increase awareness and encourage action for emergency preparedness nationwide.

“National Preparedness Month is an ideal time for all residents to revisit their emergency preparedness efforts,” Chief Dan Morgan, Director of the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency, said. “By knowing about potential local threats, making a plan and building a kit of emergency supplies, residents can ensure the safety of their families in the event of a disaster.”

Throughout the month, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMHSA) Ready Georgia campaign and Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency will join a nationwide coalition of thousands of private, public and nonprofit organizations, each hosting local events and initiatives designed to motivate people to take the necessary steps to ensure their homes, workplaces and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of all kinds.

This year’s theme is Don’t Wait to Communicate: Make an Emergency Plan Today, and each week focuses on preparation for different disasters.

•         Promote NPM: (Aug. 28-Sept. 3) Kickoff to National Preparedness Month
•         Week 2 (Sept.4-10): Preparing With Family and Friends
•         Week 3 (Sept. 11-17): Honor 9/11 by Getting involved in your community and planning with your neighbors.
•         Week 4 (Sept. 18-24): Individual Preparedness

o   Take steps to prepare for a disaster by downloading the Ready GA app.

•         Week 5 (Sept. 25-30): Lead Up to National PrepareAthon Day

To encourage preparation and get communities engaged, GEMHSA is coordinating ‘Who’s Ready, Georgia? The Search for Georgia’s Most Prepared Citizen’, which will be promoted on their Twitter and Facebook pages beginning September 1.

Residents of all counties are encouraged to nominate the most prepared person they know, and votes will be counted at the end of the month. The winner will be recognized as Georgia’s Most Prepared and awarded a signed certificate from state officials, along with other prizes.

For more information about National Preparedness Month activities occurring locally, contact [email protected] or call 770-278-8401. For preparedness on the go, download the Ready Georgia mobile app.

About Ready Georgia

Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies.  The campaign is a project of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.