MOBILE, Ala., May 24, 2011 — The American Red Cross has launched a new, one-of-a-kind website, ReadyRating.org, to help both schools and businesses in south Alabama with their emergency planning and preparedness efforts.

Schools and businesses can face a number of emergencies that threaten to disrupt their operations, ranging from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, floods, and wildfires to outbreaks of illness like seasonal or H1N1 flu. According to the Insurance Information Institute, between 15% and 40% of businesses fail after a disaster; the Ready Rating™ program can help businesses from becoming part of that statistic.

The Red Cross Ready Rating program offers free memberships to businesses, organizations, and schools.  Members can use the program’s online checklist to measure their current preparedness efforts and receive customized feedback about how to improve their preparedness level. 

“Our business leaders and school officials know how important it is to be ready for an emergency, but they often don’t know where to start or they do not have the time,” said Leisle Mims, Executive Director of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter Red Cross.  “This program was created to give businesses, organizations and schools an easy starting point so they can feel more confident about the safety of employees and students. Ready Rating is good for businesses and schools, good for employees and students, and good for the communities in south Alabama.”  

The nationwide launch began in an 8 city pilot program in 2009 with a $2.1 million grant from Anheuser Busch. Now, Sam’s Club is lending its support to the program by joining as a national sponsor of Ready Rating and has provided $500,000 to help bring the program to additional cities.

Ready Rating also encourages businesses and schools to promote personal preparedness efforts among employees, students, and families. A recent Red Cross survey* showed that 51% of Americans have experienced at least one emergency situation where they lost utilities for at least three days, had to evacuate, could not return home or communicate with family members, or had to provide first aid to others.  Although 89% of those surveyed believe it is important to be prepared for emergencies, far fewer are actually taking the steps necessary to prepare. 

More information about the program can be found at www.ReadyRating.org.

*This research was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Red Cross between July 24 and August 7, 2009 among 1306 U.S. residents aged 18 or older, including an over-sample of 487 mothers of children under 18 weighted appropriately into the general population sample. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

People can help those affected by home fires, and other emergencies by making a financial donation to the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter by calling (251) 544-6100 or mailing to P.O. Box 1764, Mobile, AL 36633. For more information about your local American Red Cross, log on to www.redcrossalcoast.org.

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