News Releases

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For six weeks this spring, America's PrepareAthon! and other preparedness partners will focus on different hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/

This fourth week highlights wildfires. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking specific steps to prepare for wildfires and other disasters.

America's PrepareAthon!℠ is a grassroots, community-based campaign for action to get families, organizations, and entire communities better prepared for wildfires and other emergencies.

According to the National Weather Service, wildfires caused nearly $23 million in damages in 2015.

When a wildfire threatens your community, you don't have time to stop and think about where you should go. Take steps to prepare now. Items  you need to take with you include insurance documents, medication and family photos.

There are some simple things you can do right now to make sure you and your family are ready.

1. Stay informed. Sign up to receive local emergency alerts and warnings on your cell phone. Make sure your cell phone receives warnings from the Wireless Emergency Alert System by checking with your service provider.
2. Download the FEMA app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and open recovery centers, tips on how to survive natural and manmade disasters, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation. The latest feature of the app enables users to receive push notifications to their devices to remind them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.
3. Have a family communications plan . A family emergency communication plan is critical to making sure the entire household knows who to contact, how to reach each other, and where to meet up in an emergency. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart. Take Part. Create Your Family Emergency Communication Plan .
4. Gather the important documents you will need to start your recovery and keep them in a safe place. Have all of your insurance, personal, medical, and legal papers in one place and store backup copies on a USB drive. Visit ready.gov/prepare and download Be Smart. Protect Your Critical Documents and Valuables for a helpful checklist of other documents you may need.
5. Know your evacuation route, as well as an alternative route. Know your community's local evacuation plan.  If your local authorities issue an evacuation order for your area, you should know where to go and have a couple of routes in mind in case roads are blocked.

Media outlets may also link to this guide on your website to provide your viewers and readers with more information about how to prepare for a wildfire.

Courtesy of America's PrepareAthon! and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/what-people-need-to-know-about-wildfires-300260860.html

SOURCE Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)