IEMA encourages participation in 'America's PrepareAthon!' on Wednesday

First national day of action expected to draw millions of participants

[April 28, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD — On Wednesday, millions of people are expected to take part in the first-ever America's PrepareAthon!, a national day for preparedness actions, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and local emergency management agencies throughout the state are encouraging individuals, families, businesses, schools, community organizations and others to be part of the event by participating in a preparedness activity related to tornadoes or floods.

For its part, IEMA will conduct a tornado drill for 120 employees in its largest workplace in Springfield. The five-story building houses more than half of the agency's employees and was damaged when tornadoes struck Springfield on March 12, 2006. IEMA will conduct tornado drills at its other facilities at later dates to ensure employee preparedness.

"Tornadoes and floods are two hazards we know well in Illinois," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. "But just recognizing these hazards isn't enough. It's even more important to take action to prepare for those hazards. The national day of action on April 30 provides an excellent opportunity for people, businesses, schools and others to practice their plans."

America's PrepareAthon is a new nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience through hazard-specific drills, group discussions and exercises conducted twice a year. Nearly 5 million people already are registered to participate in the April 30 national day of action, which will focus on four specific hazards: floods, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes. Since wildfires and hurricanes aren't major hazards in Illinois, state activities will focus on floods and tornadoes.

The fall PrepareAthon national day of action is set for Sept. 30 and will focus on earthquakes, hazardous materials, pandemic flu and severe winter weather.

Anyone interested in participating in America's PrepareAthon can register on FEMA's website at www.fema.gov. The site includes informational resources to help plan and conduct events.

[Text from Illinois Emergency Management Agency file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

Preparedness information is also available through the Ready Illinois Facebook and Twitter pages.