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Red Cross and Department of Homeland Security Announce National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month
Written by
Amanda Mark
, Special to Redcross.org
Thursday, June 09, 2005 — “No community is truly prepared for a disaster until every individual, family and household takes personal responsibility for preparedness,” said American Red Cross President and CEO Marty Evans.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff meets with American Red Cross President and CEO Marty Evans to discuss National Preparedness Month and other joint initiatives. |
In a nationwide effort to encourage Americans to take responsibility and get prepared, the American Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security will co-sponsor National Preparedness Month this September.
September will turn the nation’s focus to preparing for emergencies in the home, business and school. Events and activities across the country will promote the key steps to preparedness: make a plan, build a kit, get trained, volunteer and give blood.
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Representatives Christopher Cox (R-CA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) will serve as congressional co-chairs of National Preparedness Month 2005. Additionally. more than 125 national organizations will promote National Preparedness Month by distributing emergency preparedness information, hosting events and sponsoring activities across the country.
“The commitment of the American Red Cross and the members of National Preparedness Month Coalition are integral as we work to encourage all Americans to prepare for emergencies,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “As leaders in their communities, these organizations will help spread lifesaving information and move the entire nation toward a greater state of preparedness.”
National Preparedness Month 2005 will officially launch at a September 1 preparedness fair at Union Station in Washington, D.C. This will be the second annual National Preparedness Month after last year’s inaugural run that included more than 80 organizations and all 56 states and territories.
At a meeting earlier this week in Washington, D.C., the two organizations met to discuss this joint effort and other ongoing initiatives such as the National Response Plan. Evans also congratulated Secretary Chertoff on his recent appointment to the Red Cross Board of Governors.
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