Released on = August 1, 2006, 12:20 pm

Press Release Author = Federation of American Scientists

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = Today the Federation of American Scientists launched
ReallyReady.org, a comprehensive emergency preparedness website developed in nine
weeks by FAS intern Emily Hesaltine. Modeled after the Department of Homeland
Security's Ready.gov, ReallyReady.org addresses the inaccuracies and incomplete
information on the DHS site.

Press Release Body = Today the Federation of American Scientists launched
ReallyReady.org, a comprehensive emergency preparedness website developed in nine
weeks by FAS intern Emily Hesaltine. Modeled after the Department of Homeland
Security's Ready.gov, ReallyReady.org addresses the inaccuracies and incomplete
information on the DHS site.



ReallyReady.org launches just after recent updates to Ready.gov that changed the
site's look and feel, but did little to improve the information contained within.
The Department of Homeland Security took more than five months and millions of
dollars to create a website that was redeveloped in nine weeks by a 20 year-old
college sophomore for the price of a domain name.



ReallyReady.org includes clear and accurate information to help individuals,
families, businesses, and individuals with disabilities prepare for and respond to a
variety of threats. A thorough analysis of Ready.gov is also available on the site.



"I know it isn't good to laugh about such a serious topic, but when I saw the
graphic on Ready.gov suggesting that when a nuclear bomb goes off a hundred feet
away you might want to protect yourself by walking around the corner, I just
couldn't help myself," said Ivan Oelrich, Vice President of Strategic Security at
FAS. "After three years and millions of dollars, taxpayers should expect a better
website from the Department of Homeland Security."



The appropriate reaction to a nuclear attack is to hide from the light and heat of
the blast, then walk perpendicular to the wind away from the dust cloud. Accurate
information like this, not available on Ready.gov, can be found on ReallyReady.org.
Modifications were also made to repetitive, lengthy, and generic Ready.gov material
to make it easier to use and remember.



A section was added to help Americans with disabilities prepare for and respond to
emergencies. The section, developed in collaboration with the National Organization
on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative, is titled "ReallyReady
Disabilities" and answers questions like how to create a support network to help you
in an emergency and how to develop an evacuation plan.



"The Department of Homeland Security has declared September National Preparedness
Month. It would be shameful if they could not get Ready.gov into shape before then,"
said Michael Stebbins, Director of Biology Policy at FAS. "It took an intern two
months to make ReallyReady.org, DHS should be able to make a useful site in less
than a month."



For accurate information about emergency preparedness and to see what is wrong with
Ready.gov, visit ReallyReady.org at www.reallyready.org.



Reporter's Note: Emily Hesaltine may be reached at FAS headquarters until Friday,
August 4, 2006. Emily is a native of Richmond, VA, and will enter her third year
studying Systems Engineering and Economics at the University of Virginia.



To request an interview please contact Monica Amarelo, 202-454-4680.



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