Arizona’s wet winter may lead to an active wildfire season and public safety officials want everyone to be prepared by following the Ready, Set, Go! program.

Adopted statewide in 2018, the Ready, Set Go! program’s three steps prompt Arizonans to get Ready by preparing now for hazards that threaten their communities, be ‘Set’ by maintaining awareness of signifi­cant danger and to ‘Go,’ evacuate immediately when the danger is immi­nent and life-threatening.

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, in part­nership with the Arizona Sheriff’s Association, launched a statewide educational campaign to increase awareness of Ready, Set, Go!

The campaign coincided with Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week, April 7 through 13, which empha­sized “Prevention today for protection tomorrow.”

“The Ready, Set, Go! Program uses clear language about emer­gency preparedness and evacuations,” said Ari-zona Sheriff’s Association President Jim Driscoll. “Sheriffs throughout Arizona want to provide consistent information for people around the state on how to keep their families safe when events threaten our communities.”

“Our number one priority with the Ready, Set, Go! program is to keep Arizonans safe through increased aware­ness and all-hazard preparedness,” said DEMA Deputy Director Wendy Smith-Reeve. “If you know the importance of preparing now and being set to evacuate in an instant, it will give you peace of mind should a real emergency happen.”

Ready, Set, Go! involves actions residents should take during each step:

• Ready: Prepare now. Be aware of hazards that can threaten your community. Register for your county or tribe’s emergency notification system.

Create defensible space around your home by clearing 30 to 100 feet of vegetation to protect it from fire. Build an emer­gency go kit with the best emergency food, water and neces­sary supplies for at least 72 hours. Write a family communication and evacuation plan.

• Set: Be alert. This means there is signifi­cant danger in your area. Consider voluntarily relo­cating to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. 

Stay aware of the latest news and informa­tion from public safety officials.

This might be the only notice you receive.

• Go: Evacuate. Danger in your area is imminent and life-threatening.

Evacuate immedi­ately to a shelter or to family/friends outside the affected area.

Follow instructions from emergency personnel and stay on designated evacuation routes.

Successfully preparing for an emergency encour­ages personal respon­sibility to protect indi­viduals, their families and their property. Visit ein.az.gov to learn more about hazards in the state and how to prepare.

Additional Ready, Set, Go! information is avail­able by liking the Arizona Sheriff’s Association and AzEIN on Facebook and following Twitter at @AZSheriffs and @AzEIN.

The Arizona Sheriffs Association is the one united credible voice representing law enforce­ment and public safety for the counties of Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs coordinates the State of Arizona’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts to reduce the impact of emergencies and disasters on people and property.