We encourage you to review the many Citizen Preparedness Publications, including Are You Ready? A Guide For Citizen Preparedness, and information on creating a Family Disaster Plan (PDF) and preparing a Family Disaster Supplies Kit (PDF) to last for at least 3 days, including drinkable water, non-perishable food (including pet food), first aid supplies, other emergency supplies like flashlights and batteries, clothes and bedding, and specialty items. Disaster Supply Kits should also be prepared for your car and workplace.

Are You Ready? A Guide For Citizen Preparedness.

In addition, the Department of Homeland Security has developed a website, www.ready.gov, to help you prepare for the potential threats we now face as we enter this new era of potential warfare and terrorism here at home.

We also encourage you to get involved in helping others be safer -- when you help your neighbor, you help your nation. Share what you learn with others -- and participate in Citizen Corps in your area.

Local crises can overload first responders, and having citizens prepared to take care of themselves during a disaster will allow first responders to focus on the most critical, life-threatening situations. Across the nation, community leaders are gathering together to form Citizen Corps in their communities to develop strategies for preventing and managing local crises and for developing a more informed and engaged citizenry. Onondaga County recently won a national grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to start a local Citizen Corps, and the county selected United Way as the implementing agency.

Council Mission
To organize, educate and train citizens in volunteer service in order to make the community safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to community emergencies: public health and safety issues, threats of terrorism and disasters of all kinds.

Partner Agencies

Council Activities

• Increase public awareness regarding emergency preparedness
• Inspire volunteerism with partner agencies

Get Involved

• Include information on personal emergency preparedness in organization newsletters
• Create emergency preparedness activities that are pertinent to your constituency
• Maintain emphasis on learning to be prepared; include website addresses
• Network with other agencies serving a similar population to collaborate on emergency preparedness awareness
• Encourage volunteerism and design volunteer opportunities within your agency that will support a community-wide preparedness and safety initiative.

To volunteer call United Way at 315-428-2211