The Ready Rating Program provides a framework for preparedness with five easy steps that are both visible and measurable.
- Commit to membership in the Ready Rating Program.
- Conduct an initial analysis of disaster vulnerability.
- Develop an emergency response plan.
- Implement your emergency response plan.
- Do your part annually to ensure that the overall community is ready.
Step 1. Commit to membership in the Ready Rating Program.
Commit to increasing your organization’s emergency readiness each year. Key actions include:
- CEO or sponsoring executive signs the Ready Rating Membership Agreement
- Appoint a Ready Rating Coordinator to serve as liaison with the American Red Cross
- Complete the Ready Rating 123 Assessment online
Step 2. Conduct a hazard vulnerability assessment.
Gather information about possible emergencies that could impact your business’ capability to respond to and recover from a disaster or emergency. Key actions include:
- Understand the types of disasters most likely to impact your business
- Assess your organization’s capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from a disaster
- Identify external emergency response resources that will provide assistance during a disaster
Step 3. Develop an emergency response plan.
Create a plan describing the steps your organization will take to protect your business and employees before, during and after an emergency. Key actions include:
- Establish an emergency planning committee that is representative of your organization
- Develop a written plan describing how your business will respond during a disaster
- Develop a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) describing how your business will operate during and after an emergency
Step 4. Implement your emergency response plan.
Make emergency preparedness part of your corporate culture. Key actions include:
- Train employees in emergency preparedness and the appropriate procedures to follow at work
- Acquire and maintain needed safety equipment and emergency preparedness supplies
- Encourage emergency preparedness among employees at work and at home
- Conduct and assess regular drills and exercises to determine the readiness of your employees and facility to respond to an emergency
Step 5. Help your community get prepared.
Now that your company and employees are prepared, commit to helping the overall community prepare for a disaster or other emergencies. Your organization can:
- Host blood drives
- Appoint employees to be trained as Red Cross disaster education instructors
- Appoint employees to be trained as Red Cross national disaster volunteers
- Contribute supplies and/or services to emergency response efforts
- Invest in Red Cross services and programs
- Provide scholarships for Red Cross Health and Safety training courses and products
- Adopt a local school or district and support their disaster and emergency
Membership Renewal
Ready Rating membership is based on a calendar year and must be renewed each year. Approximately three months before the end of the year, you will receive your renewal packet. Renewal is easy – just return the membership agreement and complete the online assessment. As long as you have made progress and your score has increased, you will receive your new seal shortly after the first of the year. Or if your business/organization has a score of 60, you are simply required to maintain that score.
Red Cross Ready Rating Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Ready Rating Program?
Why is the Ready Rating Program needed?
How does the Ready Rating Program work?
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