FEMA, Ad Council focus on disaster preparedness in Black communities with newest PSAs

Create a lasting legacy – that is the message from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ad Council’s latest accessibility and preparedness PSA campaign, which will focus on the Black and African American communities nationwide.

“Black and African American communities often suffer disproportionate impacts from disasters. This is something that we must work to change, and that starts with how we prepare,” Administrator Deanne Criswell said. “Our 2022 Ready Campaign speaks directly to the communities who need our help the most and who deserve equitable access to preparedness resources that protect people and property. By continuing to advance accessibility and cultural competency in our preparedness messaging, we can make sure that everyone is ready when disaster strikes.”

The new PSAs will focus on alleviating discrepancies in exposure to the impacts of climate by encouraging these communities to protect themselves through disaster preparation. A 2021 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report determined that socially vulnerable populations – Black and African American communities among them – will likely be the heaviest hit by climate change. Such communities face, for example, a 10 percent higher risk of living in areas with the highest projected inland flooding damages stemming from global warming.

“Preparing for disaster is not just about protecting people and property, it’s about safeguarding the lives we’ve built and the legacy we will leave to our children and the generations to come,” said FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks. “With this campaign, FEMA reaffirms our commitment to equity and says loud and clear that every community deserves to be protected from hazards.”

The campaign focuses on making a plan, building a kit, and educating communities on how to work with their families to prepare. It will be a crowning part of FEMA’s Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month. Criswell attended Howard University last week as a kickoff to these events.