FEMA and Ad Council Urge Americans to "Make a Plan Today"

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FEMA and the Ad Council have begun National Preparedness Month with new public service announcements informing Americans how they and their families can best prepare for disaster while accounting for the reality of COVID-19.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8769851-ad-council-fema-national-preparedness-month-2020-psa

FEMA's most recent National Household Survey finds nearly 60% of Americans perceive themselves to be prepared for a disaster emergency, and 10% still see no need to prepare. That's why the theme of National Preparedness Month 2020 is "Disasters Don't Wait. Make Your Plan Today." It encourages people from all communities to prepare for the possibility of natural disasters, which could range from wildfires to hurricanes to tornadoes.

"This year, we've seen that preparedness actions save lives," said FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. "Hurricanes and wildfires aren't waiting for COVID-19 to end, and neither should your preparedness activities. I encourage you to make the most of this time you have with your families and have those discussions about your emergency plans, specifically how they may look different this year in a COVID-19 environment."

This year's campaign encourages parents and caregivers to visit Ready.gov/plan to find tools and tips for making an emergency plan with their family. Ad agency Newfangled Studios created pro bono TV, radio spots, print, digital and out-of-home ads. The TV component of the campaign will feature a family preparing for disasters, to run on broadcast TV.  

"This year's message is grounded in the fact that natural disasters won't wait for the pandemic to pass. However, people are already preoccupied with coronavirus messaging and we did not want to scare or overwhelm them," said Newfangled Studios' Founder & Executive Creative Director, Macaela VanderMost. "Building upon last year's campaign, we re-imagined an animated world that strikes the right balance of playfulness and gravity. It's our hope that this creative work will make a significant impact on the number of families who are prepared for a natural disaster."

"National Preparedness Month is always an opportune moment to stop and think about whether you're prepared for a disaster," said Ad Council Chief Campaign Development Officer Michelle Hillman. "This year, as we're with our families more than ever, is an especially good time to make or update a disaster plan with your loved ones."

This round of creative work for the Ready Campaign is the latest in 17 years of educating the American public about disaster and emergency preparedness

Each week of National Preparedness Month, the Ready campaign will emphasize a unique aspect of preparedness:

• September 1?5: Make a Plan
• September 6?12: Build a Kit
• September 13?19: Prepare for Disasters
• September 20?26: Teach Youth about Preparedness

Editor's Note: FEMA has made historic disaster footage available to media at the following location: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/multimedia/collections/641.

This collection contains historical footage from: 2017: Response and recovery for hurricanes Harvey and Maria, and the California wildfires; 2011: Joplin, MO, tornado; 1994: Northridge Earthquake.

About FEMA
FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.twitter.com/FEMAespanol, https://www.facebook.com/FEMA, www.facebook.com/FEMAespanol and www.youtube.com/fema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

ABOUT THE AD COUNCIL
The Ad Council brings together the most creative minds in advertising and media to address the most worthy causes. Its innovative, pro bono social good campaigns raise awareness. They inspire action. They save lives. To learn more, visit AdCouncil.org follow the Ad Council's communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.

SOURCE The Ad Council