Spanish Language Resources for Preparedness 

Hispanic Heritage Month spans September 15-October 15. It’s an opportunity for the nation to celebrate our Hispanic and Latino communities. In honor of this month, take a look at Spanish-language preparedness resources to share in your community: 

• Listo.gov is FEMA’s Spanish-language preparedness website. It has hazard-specific guides, posters, toolkits, and more.
• The FEMA Mobile App is a helpful resource before, during, and after a disaster. The App shares weather alerts and preparedness tips. It can also help you find shelter and disaster resource centers.
• The Red Cross mobile apps are also available in Spanish. They include apps about first aid as well as specific disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.
• Collecting, copying, and storing your financial information now could help you avoid problems and recover faster after a disaster. Lista de Control en Caso de Desastres (“Your Disaster Checklist”) from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is an easy way to start.
• In the Prepare with Pedro (Prepárate con Pedro) Disaster Activity Book, kids can follow Pedro the Penguin around the United Sates to visit his friends and learn how they prepare.
• Buying flood insurance is an important way to prepare for the most common and costly disaster in the US. Floodsmart.gov has many resources in Spanish, such as the ¿Por qué necesito un seguro contra inundaciones? (“Why do I Need Flood Insurance?”) brochure.
• One of the best ways to prepare financially for a disaster is to save for one. America Saves has posted many of their resources and stories in Spanish to help you and your community start saving!

CERTs Can Help Communities Prepare by Promoting Flood Insurance

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members are initially trained to serve their communities in a disaster. However, they can also help communities become more resilient before disasters occur. Many CERTs help with local preparedness events, such as large-scale exercises or Sound the Alarm. Many members also teach classes, such as first aid or Stop the Bleed. Still others attend local events to share information to help people prepare.

CERT members can help the public with financial preparedness, which is also key to disaster preparedness. For many people, this means saving, organizing documents, and checking insurance. CERTs may distribute financial resources, share savings tips, or even hold a workshop to help participants work through the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.

CERTs can also help prepare their communities by spotlighting flood insurance as a key part of preparedness. Read more…

Introducing the New Ready Kids Website

Everyone in the family can help prepare for disasters and emergencies! That’s why this National Preparedness Month, FEMA updated Ready.gov/kids. This section of Ready.gov now includes FEMA and partner resources for and about children and youth. Previously, these resources had been on various FEMA and Ready.gov websites. But now, everything is just a few clicks away. Ready.gov/kids can even help you find what you’re looking for—even if you’re not sure yet what you need. Resource collections and a searchable resource library make finding these tools easy.

On the new Ready.gov/kids, you can fill out a family communications plan, meet Pedro the Penguin, watch a webinar or PrepTalk, and more. Ready.gov/kids has how-to resources and games for all audiences, including young people, families, educators, and caregivers. Read more…

The Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness Launches New Website

Finding financial information just got easier! On the new Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness website, you will find original, relevant, reliable content approved by subject matter experts. The new site includes information that can help you prepare for a disaster or emergency and includes tips for money management. You can explore topics such as:

• Knowing your benefits and entitlements
• Managing your money
• Saving and investing
• Planning for the future
• Understanding consumer protections
• Housing
• News and events

Bookmark the website at https://finred.usalearning.gov and return often!