RAPID CITY - State officials are encouraging South Dakotans to "bReady" for natural disasters.

The State Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Health kicked off a campaign Friday aimed at better preparing South Dakotans for floods, fires and other natural disasters.

Friday was deemed the state "bReady" day by Gov. Mike Rounds.

"It's the kickoff of an emergency preparedness campaign, which is an all-hazards readiness effort collaboration between the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health," Laurie Gill, deputy secretary of the state Department of Health, said at a news conference Friday.

Gill and Kristi Turman, director of the State Emergency Management office, discussed the campaign. The National Weather Service is also a partner in the campaign and is working to raise awareness among South Dakotans.

The state is recommending South Dakotans and small businesses put together disaster-readiness kits, make emergency plans and learn more about different threats that may affect them.

Gill said the recommended kit includes items such as water, canned food, a manually operated can opener, dried milk, toilet paper and a flash light. The kit should also include enough prescription medications to last for a few days and some personal identification papers.

South Dakotans can visit www.bReadySD.com to learn more about the campaign and how to better prepare for natural disasters.

"Of course we all hope that these types of situations never arise, but we can tell just by looking back at recent history that these types of situations are going to occur," Turman said. "But what we need to do is to make sure that our families and our friends, our loved ones and our neighborhoods are ready."

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com