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FEMA and Ad Council Help Americans Prepare for Severe Weather

WASHINGTON – Recent severe weather and the start of the Atlantic hurricane season reinforce the need for Americans to familiarize themselves with the look, sound and authenticity of real-time Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). To encourage, educate and empower Americans to identify WEAs so they can take steps to prepare for emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ad Council are unveiling new public service advertisements (PSAs). The PSAs are a part of the Ready campaign which for ten years has encouraged Americans to prepare in advance of natural disasters and other emergencies.

The new English and Spanish PSAs will be distributed as part of Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 26 – June 1, 2013), an annual effort by FEMA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Hurricane Center to inform the public about hurricane hazards and provide knowledge which can be used to prepare and take action. A lack of hurricane awareness and preparation has historically contributed to the devastation wrought by past major hurricane disasters.

WEAs are emergency messages sent by local authorized government authorities through wireless carriers’ networks. The alerts include a special tone and vibration. The messages are no more than 90 characters and contain the type and time of the alert, any action individuals should take and the issuing agency. Types of alerts include extreme weather such as hurricane, tornado or flash flood warnings; AMBER alerts and alerts issued by the President*. More than 100 carriers, including all of America’s largest wireless carriers, offer the WEA service for free and no subscription is necessary. Alerts are broadcast from area cell towers warning everyone in range with a WEA-capable device of a potential emergency situation.

“Many people may not realize that they carry a potentially lifesaving tool with them in their pockets or purses every day,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “As hurricane season approaches, we want Americans to know that Wireless Emergency Alerts delivered to their mobile phones by FEMA, the National Weather Service and other agencies, can help people take appropriate preparedness steps when facing potential man-made and natural disasters.”

Created by Washington, DC and Oakland, CA based Free Range Studios, the PSAs highlight the potentially lifesaving role of WEAs when facing natural disasters, as well as other emergencies. The TV PSA drives home the preparedness point and the crucial role of mobile technology with a slow-motion montage of lifesaving objects (pedestrian signal, life preserver, defibrillator, and seat belt) which transition to an image of a wireless device delivering a WEA. The PSA ends by demonstrating the positive result of WEAs by showing a family taking shelter after receiving a tornado alert. The English radio, TV, and digital PSAs direct audiences to Ready.gov/alerts for more information. The Spanish radio, TV and digital PSAs direct to Listo.gov/alertas.

“It was an honor to work with the Ad Council and FEMA on this PSA campaign,” said Erica Priggen executive producer at Free Range Studios. “Wireless Emergency Alerts are an invaluable new way of getting information out in the face of disasters, crises and national news breaking events. Knowing that WEAs can help save lives, and empower people in serious times of need, made the project a very gratifying collaboration.”

“Utilizing the power of communication to keep Americans healthy and safe is our mission and nowhere is this better exemplified than in our 10-year partnership on the Ready campaign,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We are excited to launch this new facet of the campaign and continue to help FEMA deliver critical messages to the American public.”

Since its launch in 2003, the Ready campaign has encouraged Americans to prepare in advance, to minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes or businesses. WEAs are another tool to help Americans be more prepared in times of crisis. To date, the campaign has received over $1 billion in donated media and the campaign website Ready.gov has received over 77 million visits. More than 88 million preparedness materials have been requested or downloaded from Ready.gov and Ad Council tracking surveys show that since 2005, the proportion of U.S. households who have taken any steps to prepare has increased by 13%, from 45% to 58%. Per the Ad Council model, PSAs are distributed to media outlets nationwide and run and air in advertising time and space donated by the media.

For more information on the campaign visit Ready.gov or follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter @ReadyGov.

* Participating carriers may allow subscribers to block all but Presidential alerts.

FEMA

The Advertising Council

The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshaling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has affected, and continues to affect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives. For more information, please visit www.adcouncil.org. You can also visit www.facebook.com/adcouncil or follow the Ad Council on Twitter @AdCouncil.

Free Range Studios

Free Range works with visionary companies and organizations to create story-based brands, transforming clients’ visions for a better future into emotionally compelling media — from interactive and mobile to print and video. We believe people are hungry for brands and movements that offer empowerment, not fear and insecurity. Our home offices are in Washington, DC and Oakland, CA. For more information visit our website at freerange.com, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/freerangestudios, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/freerangestudio.

Media Contacts

Lisa Cullen, Ad Council, 202-331-5052, lcullen@adcouncil.org

FEMA, 202-646-3272, FEMA-News-Desk@dhs.gov

Frankie Ridolfi, Free Range Studios, 510-292-4737, frankie@freerange.com

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FEMA and Ad Council Help Americans Prepare for Severe Weather

FEMA Calls for 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Submissions

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the application period for the 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Awards is now open.

These awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, Citizen Corps Councils and programs working to make our communities safer, stronger and better prepared for any disaster or emergency event. Submissions will be accepted April 22 through June 5, 2013.

To be considered for this year’s Awards, all submissions must be received by June 5, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. and are required to feature program activities taking place during the period of January 1, 2012 through June 5, 2013. FEMA will review all entries and select the finalists. A distinguished panel of judges from the emergency management industry will select a winner in each of the following categories:

Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives
Outstanding Local Citizen Corps Council Initiatives
Outstanding Community Emergency Response Team Initiatives
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Preparedness
Preparing the Whole Community
Awareness to Action
Community Preparedness Heroes

Winners of the 2013 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards will be announced in Fall 2013.

Whether it is an individual or a faith-based, non-profit, private sector, community-based, or tribal organization – everyone makes a difference in our community. Acknowledge the work you or someone you know has done to build a more resilient nation and submit an application.

Visit the following website for information on the Awards and to download instructions for submitting an application: www.ready.gov/citizen-corps-awards.

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FEMA Calls for 2013 Individual and Community Preparedness Award Submissions

FEMA Seeks Applicants for National Advisory Council

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Advisory Council (NAC) to apply for appointment. The NAC is an advisory committee established to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

The NAC advises the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management frameworks, strategies, and plans while incorporating the whole communities input through appointed council members.

The NAC will have a position open for applications and nominations in the following disciplines:

Emergency Management Field (one representative appointment)

State Non-Elected Official (one representative appointment)
Standards Setting (one representative appointment)
Public Health (one Special Government Employee (SGE) appointment)
Functional Accessibility (one representative appointment)
Emergency Medical Providers (one SGE appointment)
Tribal Non-Elected Officials (one representative appointment)
Tribal Elected Officials (one representative appointment for a one-year term)
Emergency Response (one representative appointment for a one-year term)
Department of Defense (Ex Officio representative)

The NAC consists of up to 35 members, all of whom are experts and leaders in their respective fields. The members of the NAC are appointed by the FEMA Administrator and are composed of federal, state, tribal, local, and private-sector leaders and subject matter experts in law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, hospital, public works, emergency management, state and local governments, public health, emergency response, standard settings and accrediting organizations, representatives of individuals with disabilities, infrastructure protection, cyber security, communications, and homeland security communities.

Appointments are for three-year terms to June 15, 2016, unless otherwise noted. The Administrator may also appoint additional candidates to serve as a FEMA Administrator Selection for three-year terms.

Individuals interested in serving on the NAC are invited to apply for appointment by submitting a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the Office of the National Advisory Council by fax, email, or mail. Letters of recommendation may also be provided, but are not required. Applications and/or nominations must also include the following information: the applicant’s full name, home and business phone numbers, preferred e-mail address, home and business mailing addresses, current position title and organization, and the discipline area of interest (i.e., Emergency Management). Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 8, 2012, 5:00 p.m. EST.

Members selected for the council serve without compensation from the federal government; however, consistent with the charter, members receive travel reimbursement and per diem under applicable federal travel regulations. Registered lobbyists, current FEMA employees, Disaster Assistance Employees, Reservists, FEMA Contractors, and potential FEMA Contractors will not be considered for NAC Membership.

For more information: www.fema.gov/national-advisory-council.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion3.

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FEMA Seeks Applicants for National Advisory Council

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council Meets for the First Time; Council Includes Members from Louisiana and Texas

DENTON, Texas – Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council are gathering for their inaugural meeting today in Washington, D.C., to discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s resiliency against all types of disasters.

The Council members are meeting with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate and participating in roundtable discussions and plenary sessions during their two-day visit to the nation’s capital. They also will develop their annual work plan to address youth preparedness during national disasters, as well as meet with other federal and private sector partners committed to supporting their work.

“This has been an opportunity for members of the Youth Preparedness Council to share their ideas, experiences, solutions and questions on youth disaster preparedness with FEMA, other federal agencies and national organizations,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate. “Engaging youth is critical to including the whole community in national preparedness. The Youth Preparedness Council is contributing to set a national agenda for how young people play a role in emergency management.”

The Youth Preparedness Council is comprised of 13 members (13-17 years of age) from across FEMA’s 10 regions. They are all dedicated to public service; are making a difference in their community; and are expanding their impact as a national advocate for youth preparedness.

The members from FEMA Region 6 are Dorian Tre’Vaughn Gregory from Breaux Bridge, La., and Jonathan DeLong from Austin, Texas.

Council members are eligible to serve for two years.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex.shtm. To learn more about each council member visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthpreparednesscouncil.shtm.

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FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council Meets for the First Time; Council Includes Members from Louisiana and Texas

Tennessee Teen Joins Nation’s Youth In Washington For Community Preparedness Roundtable

WASHINGTON –Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council, including Benjamin Cooke of Memphis, Tenn., will hold their inaugural meeting in Washington, DC today and tomorrow to discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s resiliency against all types of disasters.

“This has been an opportunity for members of the Youth Preparedness Council to share their ideas, experiences, solutions and questions on youth disaster preparedness with FEMA, other federal agencies and national organizations,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “Engaging youth is critical to including the whole community in national preparedness. The Youth Preparedness Council is contributing to set a national agenda for how young people play a role in emergency management.”

The Council members will participate in roundtable discussions and plenary sessions today, the first day of their two-day visit to the nation’s capital. During the roundtable, the Council will meet with Administrator Fugate and discuss steps to strengthen the nation’s overall resiliency. In addition to developing their annual work plan to address youth preparedness during national disasters, the Council is meeting with other federal and private sector partners committed to supporting their work. Tuesday, council members will also visit Capitol Hill and learn how disaster management legislation moves through the legislative process.

Benjamin is among 13 exceptional Youth Preparedness Council members. He frequently speaks to diverse groups of youth about the need for emergency preparedness and volunteers at the Memphis Virginia Hospital. During the May 2011 flooding of the Mississippi River, he witnessed the benefits of planning and the values taught by the Memphis’ Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program. He has participated in community initiatives such as “Get Ready Shelby” and “Go Green Memphis.”

The Youth Preparedness Council is comprised of the following youth leaders (13 – 17 years of age) from each of FEMA’s ten regions:

•    FEMA Region I: Rachel Little (Massachusetts)
•    FEMA Region II: Gabriela Rodriguez Boria (Puerto Rico)
•    FEMA Region III: Donald “Diesel” Embrey (Virginia)
•    FEMA Region IV: Benjamin Cooke (Tennessee)
•    FEMA Region V: Jason Reed (Indiana)
•    FEMA Region VI: Dorian Tre’Vaughn Gregory (Louisiana)
•    FEMA Region VI: Jonathan DeLong (Texas)
•    FEMA Region VII: Nimansha Jain (Nebraska)
•    FEMA Region VIII: Ashley Houston (Utah)
•    FEMA Region IX: Divya Saini (California)
•    FEMA Region IX: Tiffany Espensen (California)
•    FEMA Region IX: Christian Chowen (Hawaii)
•    FEMA Region X: Cayman Kirkhart (Idaho)

Council members are eligible to serve on the Council for two years.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex.shtm.

To learn more about each council member visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthpreparednesscouncil.shtm.

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Tennessee Teen Joins Nation’s Youth In Washington For Community Preparedness Roundtable

FEMA Announces Development of Youth Preparedness Council

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Yesterday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the formation of its first Youth Preparedness Council—bringing together youngsters from across the country, including Nimansha Jain of Omaha. As a member of the council, she will support FEMA’s emphasis on and dedication to involving the whole community in preparedness related activities.

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council is a unique opportunity for a select group of youth leaders to serve on a highly distinguished national council and to voice their opinions, experiences, ideas and solutions to help strengthen the nation’s resiliency for all types of disasters. Nominated by individuals who can attest to their preparedness activities, Council members demonstrate a willingness to represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness and take information back to their communities to share it.

“Young people are truly amazing influencers in society. They influence their families and friends and it changes us all for the better,” said Region VII Administrator Beth Freeman. “The Youth Preparedness Council will engage them and harness their ideas and energy to support disaster preparedness, during and after a crisis and it will make the country more resilient.”

Children comprise approximately 25 percent of our nation’s population and are the future of our communities. They can play an important role in disaster preparedness and each have the unique ability to help their communities be safer, stronger and more resilient before, during and after a disaster or emergency event. As such, we all have a vested interest in engaging and empowering youth to become active participants in individual, family, and community preparedness. Research states that:

Youth who are trained in preparedness are more resilient in actual disasters.
Youth are highly effective messengers for reaching and influencing parents and other adults.
Youth who are engaged today will ensure a future generation of prepared adults.

Additionally, youth have proven to be positive influencers, leaders, and first responders to their families, peers, and neighbors when they take the preparedness message home. The Youth Preparedness Council will provide a venue to engage an often overlooked population and take into account their perspectives, feedback, and opinions.

The Youth Preparedness Council is comprised of 13 diverse leaders (13 – 17 years of age) from across FEMA’s ten regions and who are:

dedicated to public service;
making a difference in their community; and
expanding their impact as a national advocate for youth preparedness.

The distinguished members selected are as follows:

FEMA Region I: Rachel Little (Massachusetts)
FEMA Region II: Gabriela Rodriguez Boria (Puerto Rico)
FEMA Region III: Donald “Diesel” Embrey (Virginia)
FEMA Region IV: Benjamin Cooke (Tennessee)
FEMA Region V: Jason Reed (Indiana)
FEMA Region VI: Dorian Tre’Vaughn Gregory (Louisiana)
FEMA Region VI: Jonathan DeLong (Texas)
FEMA Region VII: Nimansha Jain (Nebraska) *See biography below
FEMA Region VIII: Ashley Houston (Utah)
FEMA Region IX: Divya Saini (California)
FEMA Region IX: Tiffany Espensen (California)
FEMA Region IX: Christian Chowen (Hawaii)
FEMA Region X: Cayman Kirkhart (Idaho)

This year council members will have the opportunity to participate in a community preparedness roundtable event in Washington D.C. where they will advise and ask questions on youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority. It is also expected that members will meet with FEMA on a quarterly basis via conference call or webinar and provide ongoing input on strategies and initiatives. Council members are eligible to serve on the Council for two years.

To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts please visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/getstarted/youth/youthindex.shtm.

Together, we can make the Nation more resilient and secure.

* Nimansha Jain of Omaha, NE

Nimansha is a member of the Ralston Fire Explorer’s Unit, which provides training for fire and medical emergency preparedness and is certified in CPR. She has been elected to the University of Nebraska Medical Center Student Advisory Group, which works with high school students to promote public health and preparedness messages through monthly community sessions for almost 100 teens. Because some teens could not attend every session, Nimansha started using social media to share information from the sessions and promote various volunteer opportunities for youth.

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Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only.

FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

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FEMA Announces Development of Youth Preparedness Council

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