READYColorado, a statewide public awareness campaign that encourages citizens to prepare for disasters, provides a wealth of information through its website to help individuals and families secure resources they need in the event of a natural or human-caused disaster. The campaign urges citizens to “Make a Plan. Make a Difference.”
      The Web site, www.readycolorado.com, contains information and tools for developing a family communications plan and a list of key phone numbers needed in an emergency.  The site also contains detailed information on what citizens should pack in “READY Kits” that can sustain them for 72 hours in an emergency. A toll free number, 1-800-639-READY, provides readiness tips and a way to request a free brochure for those without Internet access.
      “Coloradans are much more likely to successfully weather a disaster if they have packed essential supplies in READY kits at home and in their cars,” said Lt. Governor Norton. “The READY kit should contain such critical supplies as water, high calorie food, a flashlight, a radio, extra batteries, and essential papers for home and property. A communications plan is also important to ensure that family members and friends have a strategy for contacting each other during and following an emergency.”
      According to a 2003 American Red Cross survey conducted in Colorado, nearly two thirds of those polled (65%) thought it was important to have a disaster plan with emergency contacts and a place to meet, but only 52% had such a plan. Nearly half (49%) of the respondents agreed that it was “very important” to have an emergency kit with food, water and medical supplies, but only 42% had such a kit.  
      The Family Communications Plan tool provides a place to enter phone and email information for relatives or friends and an out of town contact that could be a common point of communication for family members separated in a disaster. “My READY Profile” can be used to list contact information for the nearest hospital, police department, designated Red Cross shelter, veterinarian and schools.
      The readycolorado.com site also contains detailed information on the types of food, amounts of water, first aid and other items to store in READY kits for home, office and vehicles.  
      “People need food, water, medicine and supplies to last three days in an emergency,” said Chris Olson, Englewood Director of Safety and chair of the READYColorado Public Education Committee.  READYColorado also encourages citizens to ‘make a difference’ by learning First Aid and CPR so they can help friends, family members or neighbors in an emergency. When citizens are ready to take care of themselves, our first responders can focus on those in most critical need.”
      READYColorado is a project of the Denver Urban Area Security Initiative, one of 50 cities that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. READYColorado is also supported by the 10-county North Central All Hazards Region of Colorado, the State of Colorado and Citizen Corps, a project of the Governor’s Commission on Community Service. 
      Partners of READYColorado include the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter; the State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs; the cities of Aurora, Arvada, Cherry Hills Village, Denver, Sheridan, Commerce City, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Lakewood, Littleton and Wheat Ridge; Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson Counties; and the fire protection districts of Arvada, Cunningham, Brighton, Littleton, North Washington, South Adams, South Metro, Southwest Adams and West Metro.
      For more information, visit www.readycolorado.com or call 1-800-639-READY.
      Checklist for a 72 Hour READY kit

      READYColorado recommends packing a kit with essential supplies to sustain citizens for 72 hours in a disaster. The kit should be easy to carry and kept in a place known to all family members. Smaller kits should be kept in the car and at work.

___Water (one gallon per person per day)
___Food - Pack non-perishable, high-protein items, that require no refrigeration, or cooking and little or no water.
___Flashlight (include extra batteries)
___First Aid Kit –Bandages, scissors, tweezers, cleansing agents, (soap/hydrogen peroxide), antibiotic ointment, first aid manual, safety pins, cotton balls, latex gloves
___Medications Prescription and non-prescription items, including pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid for stomach upset
___Battery-operated radio (include extra batteries)
___Tools - A wrench to turn off gas if necessary, a manual can opener, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, tarp and garbage bags with ties. Contact professionals to turn gas back on.
___Clothing - A change of clothes for everyone, including sturdy shoes and gloves.
___Personal items-  Eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution; copies of important papers, including identification cards, insurance policies, birth certificates, and comfort items such as toys and books.
___Sanitary supplies -Toilet paper, feminine supplies, hygiene items, bleach
___Money - Have cash. (ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out.)
___Contact information –Keep a current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including someone out of the area who may be easier to reach if local phone lines are out of service or overloaded.
___Pet supplies - Include food, water, leash, litter box, tags, any medications and vaccination information.
___Map - Mark an evacuation route on it from your local area.
___Special items - Necessary items for infants, seniors and people with disabilities.
___Meeting place - Pick a place for family members to meet in case you are separated during a disaster.