Governor Rendell Proclaims September 'National Preparedness Month' in Pennsylvania

Governor Rendell Proclaims September 'National Preparedness Month' in
Pennsylvania

Encourages Citizens to Be Informed, Be Prepared, Be Involved

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell
today encouraged all Pennsylvanians to recognize National Preparedness Month
this month by remembering three simple steps: be informed, be prepared, be
involved.

"You only have to watch a few minutes of any newscast to know that emergencies
can happen to anyone at any time," said Governor Rendell. "The time to prepare
for a disaster is before it happens and emergency preparedness is the
responsibility of every Pennsylvanian. It's important to create an emergency
supply kit, make a family emergency plan and stay informed - we need to make
citizen preparedness a priority in every community."

Governor Rendell said the commonwealth will unveil a new awareness campaign,
called ReadyPA, this month as part of its National Preparedness Month
activities. The campaign includes, among other outreach opportunities, a new
Web site that will serve as a clearinghouse for emergency preparedness
information in Pennsylvania; television and radio public service
announcements; and a toll-free phone number to provide information and
resources for those without internet access.

All Pennsylvanians should prepare themselves and their families for a minimum
of 72 hours after an emergency. They should: have a plan to communicate with
loved ones and to reunite if they become separated during a disaster; know
when to evacuate or stay in their home or building; and have an emergency kit
with essential necessities for every person and pet in their household.

Governor Rendell also asks Pennsylvanians to pay attention to news reports and
follow instructions given by state and local officials during an emergency.
Important information will be broadcast using the emergency alert system.

Pennsylvanians are encouraged to consider becoming members of their community
emergency response team or Citizen Corps council. More information regarding
Citizen Corps is available at www.pema.state.pa.us and clicking on
Pennsylvania Citizen Corps in the center of the page. Also, training is
available by contacting county emergency management agencies. Local American
Red Cross chapters also teach a variety of preparedness courses.

"Local emergency personnel are the first to respond to any disaster, and
volunteers are a part of that response team," said Governor Rendell. "There
are many different roles that need to be filled during a disaster and I
encourage everyone to consider how they can help their neighbors in a time of
need and to sign up."

Events like 9/11 and hurricanes Katrina and Gustav have taught Americans much,
including the importance of having volunteers during an emergency. Individuals
of all backgrounds, professions and levels of expertise can help their
community during the next emergency by signing up as a volunteer through
SERVPA, the state emergency registry of volunteers in Pennsylvania, in advance
of a disaster. Registering indicates a willingness to be available but does
not mean individuals are obligated to respond in an emergency. SERVPA also
provides the ability to validate identities, credentials, licenses and
training requirements for volunteers. Visit www.serv.pa.gov to sign up now.

For more information about preparing for an emergency, review the Pennsylvania
emergency preparedness guide by visiting www.pema.state.pa.us or
www.health.state.pa.us or by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH. Information about
National Preparedness Month is available from the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security at www.ready.gov.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter,
visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Ruth Myers, PEMA
717-651-2009

Penny Kline, Health
717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Ruth Myers of Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, +1-717-651-2009; or
Penny Kline of Pennsylvania Department of Health, +1-717-787-1783