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America’s PrepareAthon!

Summary: 
Here at the White House, we're getting ready for the first America's PrepareAthon!, a national day of action that will take place April 30, 2014.

Here at the White House, we're getting ready for the first America's PrepareAthon!, a national day of action that will take place April 30, 2014.

Join us this Monday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET to discuss America’s PrepareAthon!, a community-based campaign to build a more secure and resilient nation by getting people to understand what disasters could happen in their communities and to take action to increase their preparedness. Actions include signing up for mobile alerts and warnings, holding a preparedness discussion to emphasize the steps people should take to be ready should a disaster occur, and conducting a drill so people are familiar with what to do beforehand.  

Join us for a Google+ Hangout to hear from the head of FEMA, an award-winning meteorologist, and leaders from across the nation who share a passion for getting prepared. I will moderate the live discussion.

Participants include:

  • Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Mike Bettes, The Weather Channel’s award-winning meteorologist
  • Cameron Clayton, President of the Digital Division for The Weather Channel
  • Nancy LeaMond, Executive Vice President for AARP’s State and National Group
  • Jesse Salinas, State Director for AARP Alabama
  • Divya Saini, Block Preparedness Coordinator and founder of “Movers and Shakers”
  • Chief Roy Acree, City of Smyrna, GA Fire Chief
  • Boyce Wilson, Emergency Preparedness Planner for Heart of Texas Council of Governments

Join the conversation now by asking questions on Twitter using #PrepareAthon. And you can watch the Hangout live on Monday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. by visiting the White House Google+ and YouTube pages. Live closed captioning is also available during the Hangout.

The PrepareAthon! campaign is directed as part of President Obama’s Presidential Policy Directive 8: National Preparedness. On April 30, and throughout the spring, America’s PrepareAthon! activities will focus on preparing individuals, families, workplaces, K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, houses of worship, and community-based organizations for tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.

  • Be Smart: Know your hazards in your community. Download guides to learn how to prepare.
  • Take Part: Plan activities and host an event locally on April 30.
  • Prepare: Practice a drill or have a discussion about preparedness. Participation can include being a part of community emergency planning, hazard-specific drills, group discussions, and exercises. 

Get involved by registering as a participant in America’s PrepareAthon! at www.ready.gov/prepare, and stay tuned into the discussion on Twitter by following @PrepareAthon.