The Ready Campaign is launching a new tool to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare. The Campaign is hosting a video blog and is looking for Americans who have recently experienced an emergency situation such as Hurricanes Gustav or Ike to help us tell Americans why it is important to take steps in advance to prepare. This new video blog will be hosted on Ready’s Web site www.ready.gov and aims to inspire more Americans to get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan and to be informed about the different emergencies that can happen.

Ready is looking for entries, so we hope you will pass this along to people who would be willing to help us get more Americans taking steps to prepare for emergencies.

Here’s how it works:

Video Format

You can use any recording device to record your video clip (such as cell phones) and clips should be no shorter than 60 seconds and no longer than 3 minutes. Upload the video to www.youtube.com/fema by responding to the video that requests submissions. Any video format that can successfully be uploaded to YouTube will qualify for a submission. Good quality cell phone videos can qualify, make sure your lighting and audio will come out well before shooting the video!

Criteria

Qualified submissions must include the term “Ready.gov” somewhere in the title of the video. Submissions will be chosen on the basis of content, helpfulness in encouraging preparedness, and general clarity of your message. Your video will be reviewed by Ready and be featured on our Web site (www.ready.gov) if your submission is approved, and it will help thousands of people to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters.

Possible reasons for rejection include: poor video quality, excessive background noise, poor lighting, video volume “too loud” or “too soft”, offensive language or content, failure of video submission to play correctly, video length issues [too short or too long], irrelevance to the subject matter, or incorrect or omitted contact information or email for submission.

The Preparedness Video Blog will be hosted here: http://www.ready.gov/vblog.

If you don’t already have a YouTube account, you can create one by visiting http://www.youtube.com/signup?next=/fema.

For examples of preparedness videos, you can review FEMA’s YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/fema.

Thank you in advance for helping us engage and influence Americans on the important issue of emergency preparedness!

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Applied Vitals is a preparedness company specializing in emergency and recreational preparedness products and supplies. In addition to a growing line of products, the company also provides preparedness information and videos to help families and businesses get prepared for emergencies and disasters.

Come visit us at Hudson’s Surfside Flea Market this weekend only! Saturday and Sunday, November 1-2, 2008. We’re bringing our entire inventory of emergency preparedness products and hurricane kits to sell at drastically marked down prices.

Hudson’s Surfside Flea Market
1040 HWY 17 South
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
Phone: 843-238-0372
map to Hudson’s Surfside Fleas Market

If your company or community has been looking for an opportunity to stock up on the basics (food rations, water rations, preparedness kits), then this is it. These will be the best prices you will see—50% below retail price on average—and you’ll save on shipping as well!

DHS’ FIFTH ANNUAL NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
YIELDS HIGHEST LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO DATE

WASHINGTON– The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign joined with more than 3,200 National Preparedness Month coalition members in the month of September to educate individuals, families and communities on the importance of emergency preparedness. This year’s coalition of national, regional, state, and local organizations was the largest in the five year history of National Preparedness Month, and represents a 4,000 percent increase in participation to date.

“We’ve made great strides over the past five years in encouraging Americans to take steps to get prepared and to get involved during National Preparedness Month,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “But, the civic duty we all share to prepare ourselves, our home and work for an emergency does not end in September. Disasters can happen at any time, and I urge all Americans to make personal preparedness a priority in their daily lives.”

National Preparedness Month began in September 2004 with 80 coalition members. Participation has grown steadily each year, to include roughly 1,400 coalition members joining in 2007. The largest area of growth has been from nonprofit organizations, followed by military, faith-based and health organizations.

This year, National Preparedness Month coalition members coordinated more than 420 events and activities across the country, ranging from seminars and fairs, to community outreach events, workshops, webinars, and training. They include:

• ReadyPA: Pennsylvania joined the growing list of states and regions that have localized the Ready Campaign by launching ReadyPA during National Preparedness Month. ReadyPA unveiled a web site and localized public service advertisements that direct citizens to visit www.readypa.org for local emergency preparedness information. ReadyPA also partnered with Wal-Mart to feature in-store displays with key emergency kit items and informational handouts in 84 stores statewide.
• Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM): ADEM highlighted National Preparedness Month by partnering with local sports teams. They displayed a new Mobile Communications Unit outside War Memorial Stadium for the Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Louisiana Monroe football game on Sept. 6. ADEM distributed literature and played Ready Campaign public service advertisements during the game, which had an estimated 60,000 people in attendance.ADEM also held preparedness nights at Dickey-Stevens Park, a minor league baseball stadium in North Little Rock. The Ready Campaign’s public service announcements were played during playoff and championship games, and ADEM employees distributed brochures with information on how to put together a family emergency kit.
• Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security (OKOHS): OKOHS partnered with Radio Disney to host a kick-off event at the Tulsa Zoo. Vendors distributed information and OKOHS handed out items promoting Ready Oklahoma and emergency preparedness. OKOHS and Radio Disney also held a preparedness competition for schools in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, where the most “prepared” school in each district received a “Rockin’ Recess.”

In addition, OKOHS, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club partnered to host a statewide Emergency Preparedness Weekend from Sept. 19-21, when stores displayed emergency preparedness kits and provided preparedness information.

For additional information on National Preparedness Month 2008, please visit www.ready.gov.

February 2008 marked the Ready Campaign’s fifth year at the Department of Homeland Security. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since its launch, the campaign has generated more than $756.5 million in donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov. To order free brochures call 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO.

National Preparedness Month events and activities are voluntary. DHS is not financially obligated to any National Preparedness Month Coalition Member.

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Before an Earthquake

In an earthquake we may not have a warning, but you can prepare for your pets as you do for any other disaster:

• Maintain a list of locations and phone numbers of potential refuge sites: specialized pet shelters, boarding facilities, veterinary clinics, pet-friendly hotels, stables, or homes of friends and relatives. Share the list with family and neighbors.
• Choose and use an ID method for each animal. Examples include microchipping, ID tags on collar, and photos of you with your animal. This is extremely important if your animals become lost.
• Keep your animals’ immunizations–especially rabies–current.
• Maintain animals’ health records, proof of vaccinations, microchip numbers, and necessary prescriptions with your other important family papers.
• Maintain a disaster kit for each animal: means of confinement (cage or carrier large enough for them to stand and turn around in), animal first aid kit, leash, harness, bowls, 3-days of water and food, medications, emergency care instructions, litterbox, clean-up supplies.
• Meet with or notify your county emergency manager if you wish them to be aware of special needs you may have, such as assistance with evacuation if you possess a guide dog or other service animal.

Immediate Aftermath

Damage from the quake may cause our familiar landscape to be unrecognizable. Our companion animals may be displaced from their homes. The immediate focus for emergency workers during this time will be human safety.

When circumstances allow, there will be personnel who are trained in animal emergencies integrated into the incident management structure to assist emergency workers and citizens with animal needs. These needs may include ‘rescue’ (capture and transport to safety), ID, treatment, temporary shelter and care, and reuniting with owners.

Public information about options for assistance with animals will be provided as soon as possible from emergency management by way of news briefings and telephone hotlines.

After the Earthquake

If you animal cannot be found, contact your veterinarian, animal care and control office, and/or county and state emergency managers who can provide you with search lists and databases of animals that have been found and sheltered during the event. When you and your animal return home, check to be sure your surroundings are clear of dangers such as downed power lines, debris, and displaced wild animals.

Press Release: DHS Press Office

WASHINGTON – As Tropical Storm Gustav makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign (www.ready.gov) reminds Gulf Coast region residents about the importance of taking precautionary measures to prepare for an emergency situation or evacuation before Gustav approaches our shores. Specifically, the Ready Campaign encourages citizens to get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan, and to be informed about what to do if Tropical Storm Gustav gains strength, turns into a hurricane, and heads in their direction.

“Regardless of its predicted path, it is important for citizens in the Gulf Coast region to listen to what their local officials are advising over the course of the next few days and to take these simple steps to prepare,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “If residents make individual and family preparations, they make it easier for first responders to focus on people who can’t help themselves and need help first.”

Ready recommends having a three-day supply of water for each individual in your family, including pets, along with non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a flashlight. It is also important to consider your family’s unique needs such as medication and any important documents like property insurance. Additionally, pet owners should check which shelters in the area will take animals in case of evacuation.

Ready’s Web site, www.ready.gov, is a free resource where individuals can find an emergency supply checklist, download an emergency plan and link to local information. Ready also has resources and tools available on its Web site to help business owners ensure their business plans stay up and running, talk to their employees and protect their assets. For information in Spanish visit www.listo.gov. Individuals can also call 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO for more emergency preparedness information.

February 2008 marked the Ready Campaign’s fifth year at the Department of Homeland Security. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since its launch, the campaign has generated more than $756.5 million in donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov.

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Applied Vitals is a preparedness company specializing in emergency and recreational preparedness products. In addition to a growing line of products, the company also provides preparedness information and videos to help families and businesses get prepared for emergencies and disasters.

Download a free 2008 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Tracking Chart (PDF 2.8MB)

Are you prepared for the next hurricane? We’ve just reduced the price on all of our hurricane survival kits, first aid kits and supplies by 50%. These may be the best prices that you’ll ever find, so take advantage of the sale before it’s over. Our 50% OFF SALE applies to current inventory while it lasts. Shop for Hurricane Survival Supplies Now.

We have discounted all of our hurricane preparedness kits in stock to help you get prepared this Atlantic Hurricane Season. Emergency services, including the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, agree that the first step towards getting prepared for the next hurricane is to have an emergency supplies kits on hand.

Our light-weight, compact and comprehensive emergency hurricane kits are the best on the market and are ready to be shipped today. Order online through Applied Vitals’ secure online store, accepting all major credit cards, as well as personal PayPal and Google Checkout accounts.

Applied Vitals is a preparedness company specializing in emergency and recreational preparedness products. In addition to a growing line of products, the company also provides preparedness information and videos to help families and businesses get prepared for emergencies and disasters.

Sizing and fitting your dog for a harness or pack. We’ve purchased a Ruff Wear dog pack for our boy Blue and filmed the “before and after” so you can see what we did.

Blue is a big dog and has a large rib cage so we wanted to make sure the measurement were right on for his active lifestyle. He measured 33 inches around at the deepest point on his rib cage, just behind his front legs.

Pack features:

• Attached saddlebags with lightweight, streamlined, go-fast shape
• Weight-forward saddlebag design for ideal load-carrying position
• Trail-savvy details like waterproof zippers, high-visibility reflective trim, external gear loops, and durable construction
• Comfort-fit Web Master™ Harness frame ensures good structure, stability, and load dispersion
• Five-point adjustable fit to accommodate dogs of all sizes and shapes
• Designed to be worn with padded comfort, secure fit, generous ergonomic cut, and full range of motion

Applied Vitals is a preparedness company specializing in emergency and recreational preparedness products. In addition to a growing line of products, the company also provides preparedness information and videos to help families and businesses get prepared for emergencies and disasters.

Partner with Applied Vitals to raise funds for your animal rescue. We’re actively looking for animal rescue partners to participate in our affiliate program, where referral sales will produce direct donations back to the referring organization.

The process is simple:
1. Contact us to become a partner
2. We’ll provide you with a tracking link to use on your website or in your email marketing
3. Our system automatically tracks sales generated from your traffic and we make donations directly to your organization every quarter.

We’ll also help you the web side of things to get a page or link up on your site if you don’t have a web developer available.

Help your new pet parents get geared up with collars, leashes and the necessities, while helping your animal rescue raise funds to save more lives. At Applied Vitals, we love animals as much as you do and are anxious to meet you and get involved in your organization. Contact us today to start raising funds for your non-profit organization.

Applied Vitals is excited to announce the addition of pet preparedness products to its online store. This expansion into the pet market is a natural move for this family-centric business that is focused on getting homes prepared for emergency and disaster situations.

“We’re very pleased to add the Ruff Wear brand of dog products to our offering,” says Dominic Taverniti, owner of Applied Vitals. “Ruff Wear builds top quality products, an absolute must for emergency situations. We’re confident in Ruff Wear products and know that our customers will find them extremely valuable.”

It’s estimated that the average American household has 1.2 pets, so extending its reach to pet owners is a logical step for Applied Vitals. “As an obsessive pet owner myself,” says Dominic, “I completely understand how valuable pets are to their owners and the influence that they have on everyday decisions. Well, when it comes to an emergency, pets will impact your decisions even more . . . and it’s imperative that preparations have been made for your pets so that you don’t put yourself in danger.”

Preparing your pets for an emergency should be part of your overall preparedness efforts. Make a plan, get a kit and stay informed. These are the three general steps to getting prepared. To learn more about getting your pets prepared, information and pet preparedness videos are available online.

Over the coming months, Applied Vitals will continue to add more pet preparedness products to its online store. If you have any recommendations or comments about pet preparedness products for the company, please contact Applied Vitals through its website.

Applied Vitals is a preparedness company specializing in emergency and recreational preparedness products. In addition to a growing line of products, the company also provides preparedness information and videos to help families and businesses get prepared for emergencies and disasters.