FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Now that the holiday celebrations are behind us, and a new year has dawned, it’s time to again get serious about preparing for the possibility an emergency might affect those living along the Gulf Coast. Although few like to think about potential danger lurking around every corner, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Ready campaign is reminding us to “Resolve to be Ready in 2009.”

The project is an annual nationwide effort designed to encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to take action and prepare for disaster.

“Individual planning is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness,” stated Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Since establishing this department and Ready, we have come a long way in raising the baseline of preparedness in this country, but we still have a long way to go. I urge all Americans to consider the importance — and real value — of being prepared for all hazards.”

DHS officials recommend following the Ready Campaign’s three simple steps: Get an emergency supply kit; Make a family emergency plan; Be informed about the types of emergencies that can happen in your area and their appropriate responses.

By taking these steps — especially having an emergency supply kit both at home and in the car — Americans will be prepared for many events such as damage caused by hurricanes or thunderstorms. Each of these kits should include basic necessities such as water (one gallon per person per day for three days), food and first aid supplies to help you survive if you are without power or become stranded in your vehicle.

Speaking by phone from her Washington, D.C. office on Tuesday, Becky Marquis, Ready deputy director, said, “We tell people to be prepared across the board. Make a new year’s resolution to be ready. Preparedness is our individual responsibility, and you should be ready all year long.”

She said those preparations should include planning evacuation routes, a family meeting place and central contact number. Plans should also include making arrangements for family pets, and taking with you important documents and prescription medicines.

Marquis said, “With (Hurricane) Katrina, a lot of people didn’t evacuate because of their pets.”

This year, the Ready campaign is employing new strategies to promote emergency preparedness. By using Twitter, a social networking tool, Ready hopes to not only reach new audiences, but also to open the lines of communication with the public, ensuring emergency preparedness is top of mind year-round.

Twitter users can stay up-to-date on the latest Ready activities by following their user name, “ReadydotGov,” on Twitter.

DHS also has available a widget that can be used on Facebook and MySpace pages, as well as on your computer desktop. Marquis said it will link to the campaign Web site, and will also broadcast important alerts from the parent agency.

“We always need to have our guard up and be ready for anything that might happen,” she said. She noted the campaign was focused on preparing for terrorism when it was launched in 2003, but now addresses all hazards.

By making the decision to Resolve to be Ready in 2009 and following the simple preparedness steps in advance, Americans will minimize the impact of emergencies on themselves, their family and their businesses. By visiting www.ready.gov or calling 1-800-BE-READY, individuals can access free materials that will help them make and keep a new year’s resolution that will bring their families peace of mind.

Marquis said the Web site contains checklists that may be downloaded and printed for use at neighborhood grocery and home improvement stores.

This is the Ready Campaign’s sixth year at the Department of Homeland Security. It was begun in partnership with The Advertising Council, and is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in the Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since its launch, the campaign has generated more than $756.5 million in donated media support.

“It’s another opportunity for us to do some outreach,” Marquis said. “It’s a good time for people to start thinking about this type of stuff. It’s hard to plan for something that may or may not happen. If something happens and you’re prepared, you’re enabling first responders to take care of those in greatest need first.”