Ready New York is the City’s educational campaign to encourage New York City residents to prepare for emergencies. Ready New York takes an all-hazards approach to preparing based on three guiding principles: knowing the hazards in New York City, making a household disaster plan, and stocking emergency supplies. Ready New York’s resources now include nine multilingual publications, numerous public service announcements, multimedia advertising campaigns, extensive web content, a speakers’ bureau, a reprinting program, corporate partnerships, and continuous community outreach.

All Ready New York guides are available online or by calling 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115). New Yorkers can also request guides on audio tape or in Braille. 

In April 2009, OEM introduced Ready New York: Pandemic Flu after developing the program with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The guide is available online and New Yorkers can order more by calling 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115).

In light of the instances of human swine flu in New York City, Ready New York reminds New Yorkers of habits to reduce the spread of influenza:

• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water
• Avoid contact with people who are obviously sick
• If you get sick with any cold or flu, stay home from work or school; avoid contact with others as much as possible

Commonsense health practices will help reduce the spread of any flu virus.

Read Ready New York Pandemic Flu

Do you think you're prepared for all types of emergencies? Does your family know what to do in the event of a coastal storm, a heat wave, or a blackout? If so, prove it to OEM by taking the Ready New Yorker of the Month quiz. If you answer all the five questions correctly, you will be automatically entered into a raffle to win a Go Bag.

May's winner is Mike C. of Staten Island! June's quiz is about general emergency preparedness.

Enter the quiz
Download Ready New York: Preparing for Emergencies in New York City

In January OEM launched a video as part of its Ready New York program to educate New Yorkers about emergency preparedness. Ready New York can now reach even more people with a new, fun medium. The 11-minute video features former MTV host and current CERT volunteer, Karen Duffy, along with Dr. Frank Field, former meteorologist and television personality.

Download the video (52 MB)
View the video (highband, 400 KB) 
Read the press release

Find out how ready you are in the event of an emergency — determine your "Readiness Quotient" or RQ. The Council for Excellence in Government has created an online program to determine Americans' level of preparedness.

Contact Ready New York