Red Cross launches new program in St. Louis to prepare for emergencies

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The American Red Cross is introducing a new emergency preparedness program in St. Louis, with plans to extend it nationally within about two years.

Businesses, schools and organizations register online to take part in the Ready Rating program. They use tools provided by the Red Cross to assess their disaster vulnerabilities and put together an emergency response plan.

They can grade themselves annually, using a points system to make sure their organization is where it should be.

The plan was introduced Thursday at Anheuser-Busch headquarters. The company helped begin the program.

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On the Net:

readyrating.redcrossstl.org