American Red Cross Launches Ready Rating Program to Prepare Business and Schools for Emergencies
September 24, 2009

The American Red Cross has launched the Ready Rating program to help both schools and businesses in Greater New York, New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley Counties 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 to the possible widespread H1N1 flu virus that looms this fall and winter. In fact, one in four businesses forced to close after a disaster never reopen and Ready Rating can help businesses from becoming part of that statistic.

The Red Cross Ready Rating program offers free memberships to businesses and schools, which can use an online checklist that measures their current preparedness efforts. Ready Rating members score themselves annually with the checklist and maintain their membership by developing and implementing an emergency response plan and improving their overall score each year.

Businesses and schools interested in becoming a Ready Rating member can contact the American Red Cross in Greater New York at 212.875.2468. More information about the program can be found at www. ReadyRating.org.