Preparing for an Emergency? There’s an App for That

Are you prepared to deal with an emergency? A new mobile application can help.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA) and Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) recently released the free Ready Georgia mobile app for both iPhone and Android devices.

The app provides weather and hazard alerts, customizable emergency preparedness checklists, Red Cross shelter locations and more.

“Preparation is key to surviving disasters, and the Ready Georgia mobile app makes it easier than ever for Georgians to get prepared,” said GEMA Director Charley English in a released statement. “If you’re shopping for emergency supplies, you have a checklist in your pocket. If you see storm clouds, you can check weather alerts. You can even pull up a local map to see if a shelter has been opened in your community.”

The app will also deliver GEMA and DPH alerts in the event of emergencies such as  terrorist attacks, infectious diseases or biological threats.

“Diseases spread fast and the need to reach people in real time with life-saving information is more important than ever,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., Commissioner of DPH. “The Ready Georgia mobile app gives us the ability to instantly deliver potentially life-saving information to almost anyone with a smartphone.”

Residents can also visit the Ready Georgia website to learn how to prepare for emergencies or find the Ready Georgia Facebook page and the Ready Georgia YouTube channel.