Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Each disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property. To help communities, families, and individuals get informed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers free publications designed to provide assistance in planning and preparing for disasters.

The “Are You Ready?” guide provides a step-by-step approach to disaster preparedness by walking the reader through how to gain knowledge of local emergency plans, how toentify hazards that affect their area and instructing them on how to develop and maintain an emergency communications plan and building a disaster supplies kit.

Other preparedness publications offered by FEMA include:

• Preparing for Disaster - FEMA 475
• Helping Children Cope with Disaster - FEMA 478
• Food and Water in an Emergency - FEMA 477
• Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs - FEMA 476
• Disaster Preparedness Activity Book (Ages 4-7) - FEMA 522 and Disaster Preparedness Activity Book (ages 8-11) - FEMA 523.

To obtain these publications and many more, visit www.fema.gov, or call the FEMA Distribution Center at 1-800-480-2520.

Also, you can request them by mail from: Federal Emergency Management Agency P.O. Box 2012 Jessup, MD 20794-2012