FEMA and the Ad Council kick off National Preparedness Month with new public service announcements from FEMA’s Ready Campaign that promote the importance of preparing children and teenagers for possible emergencies and disasters.
Involving young people in preparedness efforts can help youth, families, and communities be prepared and able to respond when faced with disasters.
The campaign products this year, with the tagline “Prepared, Not Scared,” encourage parents, teachers, and caregivers to visit Ready.gov/kids so they can teach our youth what to do when a crisis occurs, and how to take preparedness actions together.
“Imagine you are at work or at home and your child is at school or on a playdate when a disaster strikes. Do they know what to do if you are not around?” said Acting FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. “It is important to have these conversations now and prepare ahead of time to be ready for the unexpected.”
Production partner Newfangled Studios created pro bono TV, digital and out-of-home ads. Additionally, FEMA is also teaming up with Sony Pictures on their upcoming film Zombieland: Double Tap to promote the crucial message of emergency preparedness.
“Emergency preparedness should be top of mind for every American,” says Chief Campaign Development Officer, Michelle Hillman. “For families with kids in the home, it’s especially important. This campaign will continue to empower families to have peace-of-mind knowing their children know what to do in case of a disaster.”
This preparedness effort by the Ready Campaign follows 16 years of educating the American public about disaster and emergency preparedness. At that time, $1.6 billion in donated media enabled the campaign to reach millions of Americans and encouraged more than 100 million visits to the campaign’s website, Ready.gov.
Each week of National Preparedness Month, the Ready Campaign will emphasize a unique aspect of preparedness:
September 1—7: Save Early for Disaster Costs
September 8—14: Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters.
September 15—21: Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters
September 22—30: Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness.
