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Tuesday, 05 April 2011 14:06 What We're Up To
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Gayle Manchin Helps Lead Preparedness Drive For Second Year

Safe America Foundation is seeking to engage First Spouses in all 50 states, in its “Text First. Talk Second”, emergency preparedness initiative, for the second year.

Championed by former First Lady of West Virginia, Gayle Manchin,  First Spouses in the following states participated in the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety program in 2010: West Virginia, Kentucky, Washington, Colorado, Idaho, Arkansas, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Iowa, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. These First Spouses showed their support in the following ways:  filming preparedness PSA’s, conducting texting drills, issuing proclamations and press releases and attending meetings.

Highlights from the program last year include a stadium texting drill at the West Virginia University vs. Marshall University football game, led by then First Lady Gayle Manchin. Other key features were ads in USA Today and on ION Television Stations in key cities nationwide, featuring Mrs. Manchin encouraging individuals to “text” in an emergency. First Lady of Kentucky, Jane Bashear, issued a proclamation supporting Safe America’s Drill Down for Safety Campaign, while other first spouses carried out their pledge to drill.

As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, and building on last year’s success, Gayle Manchin will be helping to recruit First Spouses of Governors in key states to serve as Regional Honorary Spokespersons. Safe America seeks the involvement of all First Spouses, as well, to serve as role models and educators in their states, to show the importance for individuals to develop an emergency communication plan with their families, co-workers and civic organizations.

The key message will be to encourage all Americans to “pledge to drill” in honor of 9/11 and to conduct a texting drill in which they would “Text” a simple code, “RUOK” to loved ones, The response code “IMOK” will signal the safety or status of family members. This will leave cell phone lines from becoming overwhelmed in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.

Safe America Executive Vice President for Programming Mary Lou Pagano said the Foundation chose to involve First Spouses, because they are highly visible and are well-liked and respected as civic leaders. “They’re a natural at communicating to the citizens of their state, and we believe they’ll be well-received in teaching the value of preparedness training and drills,” Mrs. Pagano added.

Mrs. Pagano noted that Safe America is asking First Spouses to do a simple texting drill with their First Family, their staff or through a venue or event in their state where a large number of people would gather. Suggestions are: sporting events, such as baseball, football or soccer games; through major universities, corporations and organizations.

The next step is for citizens of each state to do the following: a pre-determined designated meeting place for family, friends or colleagues; stockpiling of food and water for 72 hours in their home and businesses; prepare backpacks with emergency supplies in their home, office and car (visit www.safeamericaprepared.org).

For more information on how you can participate, contact Mary Lou Pagano at 770-973-7233 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Robin Read Joins to Help Safe America in its ‘March to 1 Million’

National Foundation for Women Legislators CEO Robin Read (left) is warmly greeted at the White House by First Lady Michelle Obama recently. Mrs. Read – a new ‘partner’ in Safe America’s ‘March to 1 Million’ – hopes to engage Mrs. Obama in the project this summer. She will be among the new non-profit champions spearheading a Congressional Briefing on March 31 with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) supporting Safe America’s third year program, ‘9/11 Drill Down for Safety.’ Other supporters who will be present include DRI International CEO Al Berman; Center for National Policy CEO Steve Flynn; and NCS-4 Chairman Mark Moran.

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U.S. Can Learn from Japan’s Preparedness

U.S. Can Learn from Japan’s Preparedness

Japan adopted its impeccable building regulations following its crippling Kobe earthquake in 1995, which took the lives of 6,000 people and left 26,000 people injured.  Inside Japan’s high-rise buildings lie “extra steel bracing, giant rubber pads and embedded hydraulic shock absorbers,” according to NPR. Those features make Japan’s buildings stand as some of the few sturdiest in the world during a major earthquake.
With features that allow high-rise towers to resist major earthquakes, these buildings are able to sway just like trees. Japan has surpassed the United States’ efforts in ensuring that buildings are using advanced devices that lessen the ground’s movement during an earthquake, such as isolation pads.

Japan’s preparedness can also be seen through its citizen’s culture of preparedness.

Japan’s substantial public education program could have possibly saved a considerable amount of lives. “For a trained population, a matter of 5 or 10 minutes is all you need to get to high ground,” Matthew Francis of US Corporation and member of the civil engineering society’s tsunami subcommittee stated.

“Preparedness is not a priority for the average American citizen. There is a sense that first responders will take care of people if there is an emergency. We at Safe America are encouraging people to be their own first responder,” said Len Pagano, President and CEO of the Safe America Foundation. Mary Lou Zoback, a risk consultant in California, also holds the same feelings. “The Federal government has built an expectation – don’t worry, someone is going to be there to bail you out,” Zoback stated.  Often times, that perspective is what prevents individuals from becoming prepared.

The Safe America Foundation developed its national 9/11 Drill Down for Safety campaign in response to the United State’s lack of preparedness. Originally developed following the terrorist attacks that occurred during September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety campaign also stresses the importance of being prepared during any type of emergency situation, such as a natural disaster. This requires families and businesses to develop and practice an emergency drill, so in the wake of an emergency event, families and businesses know what to do without any hesitation.

The Safe America Foundation is rolling out its 9/11 Drill Down for Safety: March to 1 Million campaign this year. Its goal is to encourage citizens to pledge to drill in honor of 9/11 and to Text First. Talk Second in the event of an emergency. For more information on March to 1 Million, please contact Mary Lou Pagano at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (770)973-7233. Add a comment
 

8.9 Earthquake hits Japan, Tsunami Warnings Issued

8.9 Earthquake hits Japan, Tsunami Warnings Issued

An 8.9 magnitude struck off of Honshu, Japan at 2:46PM local time. More than 57 aftershocks were reported following the earthquake, with 7.1 being the strongest. The earthquake in Japan resulted in tsunami warnings issued as far as Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States and Canada.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said that this is the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since officials began keeping records in the late 1800s. Residents reported that earthquakes were common in Japan, but this earthquake was unlike any other.

A wide-range of Tsunami warnings were issued following the earthquake, which include Russia; Indonesia; Central American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica; and Hawaii.

“Japan's tragedy proves again the need to be prepared for the unexpected - we need to act now to be prepared...so we won't be scared,” Len Pagano, President and CEO of the Safe America Foundation stated.  “If you have relatives on the Pacific Coast, do text them first...to keep phone lines available for first responders,” Len Pagano also added.

Safe America created the Text First. Talk Second.TM campaign to raise public awareness around the importance of utilizing text messaging for non-emergency communications during an emergency, such as a natural disaster.  When disasters strike, voice networks can become congested or overloaded with an influx of people trying to call each other for non-vital communications.  Unfortunately, this often results in individuals being unable to contact those they need, such as emergency services, friends or loved ones. In some rare instances, this may also result in emergency service personal being unable to communicate with each other.    

The 9/11 Drill Down for Safety campaign was launched by the Safe America Foundation in 2009.  Its purpose is to promote the planning and execution of emergency preparedness drills and to create of a “culture of preparedness.”  Last year over 400,000 American families, businesses, public institutions and NGOs participated in Drill Down and demonstrated their preparedness through drills, exercises, text emergency alerts, building an emergency preparedness kit and other activities.

For additional information on Safe America’s disaster tool kits offered online, contact Bob Surrusco, General Manager of the Safe America Foundation, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Add a comment
 
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