“Alabama Be Ready Day offers citizens the opportunity to learn more about what they can do as individuals to help their families and their communities prepare for emergencies,” said Governor Riley.  “At this event, Alabamians can find information and resources that will make them safer and help them ‘be ready’ before emergencies happen.”

More than 40 national, state, and local agencies are participating in Alabama Be Ready Day.  Some will display the equipment they use for homeland security and emergency response, and citizens can take part in interactive displays that give them hands-on opportunities to learn what actions they can take in emergencies.

This year’s event also marks the inaugural session of Alabama Be Ready Camp for Kids, a four-day education program for 80 sixth graders from the Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County school systems.  The purpose and focus of Alabama Be Ready Camp for Kids is to teach students about individual, family and community preparedness.  The students will learn individual and collective preparedness skills, such as building an emergency shelter and participating as a member of a Community Emergency Response Team.  They also tour the Madison County Emergency Operations Center as part of the camp.  

Governor Riley will present each of the 80 students a certificate for completing Alabama Be Ready Camp for Kids at the conclusion of his remarks on Thursday.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security designated September as National Preparedness Month in 2004.  Alabama held its first Alabama Be Ready Day in September 2004 at the State Capitol in Montgomery.  In 2005, the event was scheduled in Mobile but cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina.