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Release Date: 09/01/04 00:00:00
Throughout the month of September, hundreds of activities are planned to highlight the importance of individual emergency preparedness. The National Preparedness Month coalition, which includes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than 80 organizations and all 56 states and territories, will encourage Americans to take simple steps now to prepare themselves and their families for any possible emergencies.
Below is a listing of the National Preparedness Month coalition members, their planned activities and points of contact:
The Advertising Council – The Advertising Council is the non-profit organization that produces the Ready campaign in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This nationwide public service advertising campaign is designed to educate and empower American citizens to prepare for and respond to emergencies. In addition, the organization will help launch Ready for Business. Contact: Ellyn Fisher, 212-984-1964
American GI Forum of the United States – The American GI Forum of the U.S. will share emergency preparedness information through newsletters, emails and chapter and community meetings with its 300,000 members nationwide. Contact: Lee Rivas, 571-334-5106
American Hospital Association – AHA will build upon its past work in promoting hospital disaster preparedness by encouraging its 4,700 hospital members nationwide to prepare their facilities and employees for emergencies. The Association will include information about individual emergency preparedness in newsletters, emails and on their website. Contact: David Allen, 202-626-2313
The American Legion – Through its 15,000 posts across the country, the American Legion will encourage its 2.8 million members and their communities to prepare for emergencies. In addition, the organization is sharing emergency preparedness information with the 5,000 attendees at its National Convention held in Nashville, TN, August 27 – September 2. Contact: G. Michael Schlee, 202-861-2700
American Legion Auxiliary – The American Legion Auxiliary will share emergency preparedness information with its 1 million members nationwide. The organization is also sharing preparedness information at its National Convention held in Nashville, TN, August 27 - September 2. Contact: Peggy Sappenfield, 317-955-3845
American Legislative Exchange Council – The American Legislative Exchange Council will release survey results about what state legislators know about citizen preparedness. They will also encourage their members to get involved in emergency preparedness in their communities. Contact: Sandy Bourne, 202-466-3800 ext. 245
American National Standards Institute – ANSI will launch an emergency preparedness awareness campaign within the standardization community and develop a standardization workshop on citizen readiness/emergency preparedness. Contact: Matthew Deane, 212-642-4992 or Stacy Leistner, 212-642-4931
The America Prepared Campaign, Inc. – The America Prepared Campaign has galvanized the private sector in support of National Preparedness Month by providing preparedness information and tools at some of the nation’s largest retailers, including Home Depot, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Costco and Sam’s. The Campaign has also developed public service announcements which seek to raise awareness about the importance of preparedness and will distribute these starting in September through broadcast, print and outdoor vehicles. In addition, the organization has sponsored two contests to encourage individuals to get prepared, a short film contest judged by Miramax Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein and a contest for the school that gets the most families prepared with a cash prize. Contact: Cindy Rosenthal, 212-332-6306
The American Public Works Association - The American Public Works Association, through its 27,000 members, will educate and raise awareness in their communities about emergency preparedness through emails, chapter presentations and articles in the association's monthly magazine. Individual public works departments will post preparedness tool kits and check lists to help citizens prepare. Contact: Kristina Tanasichuk 202-408-9541 ext. 3005
American Red Cross – The American Red Cross will organize Together We Prepare Saturday, September 18 with its chapters nationwide. Chapters are encouraged to sponsor events in their communities such as first aid trainings and preparedness fairs. The organization’s website, www.redcross.org, will also launch an online store in September with new pre-packaged products to compliment the wide range of preparedness resources. Contact: Jan Lane, 202-303-4348
American Safety and Health Institute – ASHI’s more than 4,000 training centers will promote and focus on community and personal emergency preparedness and emergency care through mass-training events across the country. Contact: Eric Reale, 800-246-5101 ext. 202
ASIS International – ASIS will share information about individual emergency preparedness with its members. In addition, the organization is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security on the development of the Ready for Business campaign. Contact: Jack Lichtenstein, 703-518-1484
Association of Major City and County Building Officials – AMCBO and National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards will include a special symposium entitled "Homeland Security - A Review of National Preparedness, State and Local Government Role, Responsibilities and Best Practices." at their joint annual meeting in Salt Lake City, UT on September 29. Contact: Claude Cooper, 804-646-6624
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials – ASTHO will share information about National Preparedness Month and public health preparedness on its website and in its monthly preparedness e-newsletter, which reaches 900 individuals in state public health agencies. Contact: Joshua Bobrowsky, 202-371-9090
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association – The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association will encourge its approximately 800 employees nationwide to make a family communications plan by: sending them a letter from CEO Scott Serota; distributing “Are You Prepared?" buttons to be worn on September 10; and publishing an article in their newsletter. The Association will also encourage its 41 national affiliate plans to take part in emergency preparedness efforts of their own. Contact: John Parker, 202-626-4818
Boy Scouts of America – The Boy Scouts of America have been a strong supporter of the Ready campaign and they will continue to promote emergency preparedness during the month of September. As part of National Preparedness Month, BSA will encourage its 309 Councils across the country and 3.2 million scouts to get involved in Emergency Preparedness BSA, an emergency preparedness award program developed in partnership with Homeland Security to increase the level of citizen preparedness across the country. Contact: Ed Woodlock, 972-580-2447
Christian Emergency Network – CEN has several activities planned for National Preparedness Month including: communicating to its over 2,000 organizational partners through e-newsletters and advisories with emergency preparedness information; producing and distributing personal, media and organizational preparedness supply kits; educating national religious broadcasters and reporters in personal emergency preparedness while providing programming and public service announcements to prepare their over 12 million daily listeners and viewers; and partnering with Homeland Security of Pima County, AZ and the Salvation Army to provide faith-based church survival training to raise up 30,000 survival churches in local neighborhoods. Contact: Mary Marr, 928-556-8662
Church World Service – To prepare communities, Church World Service is creating materials on strategies to cope in times of stress. The agency has developed an Interfaith Trauma Response Team and Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Recovery, which resources key leaders in trauma-affected communities on how to break cycles of violence and instead build peace, justice and understanding. Contact: Ann Walle, 212-870-2654
ComCARE Alliance – ComCARE will promote its emergency preparedness campaign Engage, Empower, Ensure by distributing theme-based tool kits to its more than 90 member organizations encouraging them to support and plan activities for National Preparedness Month. They are also dedicating their national membership meeting on September 23 to National Preparedness Month. Contact: Alan Kitey, 202-429-0574
Community Associations Institute – CAI will share emergency preparedness information with its member community associations and homeowners through its 54 chapters, published newsletters, magazines, websites and emails. Contact: Dawn M. Bauman, 703-797-6287
The Council of State Governments – Contact: Laura Williams, 859-244-8119
DRI International – DRII is encouraging its 2,700 certified business continuity professionals to conduct mock disaster preparedness drills in conjunction with local emergency response agencies and host community open houses to educate citizens about how businesses can protect their employees and assets as well as the surrounding community. Contact: Thomas Mawson, 703-538-1792 ext. 5
Easter Seals – Through their S.A.F.E.T.Y. First initiative, the Easter Seals will be working with its network of 94 local affiliates to share information with local communities about addressing the needs of people with disabilities in all emergency preparedness activities. Contact: Jennifer Dexter, 202-347-3066
Emergency Management Accreditation Program – EMAP will emphasize, through media releases, articles and other vehicles the importance of focusing on improving preparedness throughout the nation and EMAP’s role in evaluating and strengthening state and local disaster preparedness systems. EMAP also will kick off a new initiative to build into its national assessment and accreditation process standards focused on state and local prevention activities. Contact: Nicole Morgan, 859-244-8242
Fraternal Order of Police - Information about National Preparedness Month was included in the Fraternal Order of Police's national publication, The Journal, which reaches 318,000 members. In addition, the FOP will send out information to its Grassroots Action Network throughout September. Contact: Tim Richardson, 202-547-8189
Girl Scouts of the USA - The Girl Scouts is organizing preparedness teach-in sessions at Girl Scout Councils across the country for scouts and their families. Contact: Elizabeth King, 212-229-0500 ext. 262
The Global Partnership for Preparedness – GPP will launch a small business preparedness campaign. Working with local Chambers of Commerce, local chapters of business continuity professional groups and local emergency management officials, the GPP will commit over 16,000 hours of pro-bono certified business continuity expertise to help small businesses in communities across the nation to prepare. Pilot programs will be established in September in Charlotte, NC and Los Angeles, CA. Contact: April James, 202-822-5283
Goodwill of Greater Washington – Goodwill of Greater Washington will promote emergency preparedness through its email newsletter which goes to over 6,000 Goodwill supporters. Contact: Brendan Hurley, 202-715-2605
Hispanic Business Roundtable – The Hispanic Business Roundtable will share emergency preparedness information with its members through emails and newsletters. Contact: Honorio Padron, 202-546-1284
Hispanic National Bar Association – The Hispanic National Bar Association, which represents more than 25,000 Hispanics in the legal profession, will provide its membership with information about how to prepare for emergencies. Contact: Carlos Singh or Carmen Feliciano, 202-223-4777
Hispanic War Veterans of America – The Hispanic War Veterans of America will share emergency preparedness information with its 100,000 members of the military community through newsletters and emails. Contact: Edwin Huelsewen, 301-627-2580
Homeownership Alliance – The Homeownership Alliance will provide information to homeowners outlining emergency preparedness tips for their homes and families. The Alliance will begin distribution of this information in September through its member organizations, which together touch virtually every homeowner in the nation. Contact: Rick Davis, 202-354-8205
Home Safety Council – The Home Safety Council will promote National Preparedness Month on its website with a link to Ready.gov and by distributing citizen emergency preparedness information to its Expert Network, a nationwide network of more than 1,600 public safety education experts. Contact: Patricia Adkins, (202) 349-1100
The Infrastructure Security Partnership – TISP will promote emergency preparedness among its members and sponsors through an email newsletter that reaches 7,500 individual subscribers; a general promotion campaign that will reach over 1.75 million individuals and firms; and a link to the Ready.gov website. Contact: Marla Dalton, 703-295-6231
International Association of Chiefs of Police – IACP is sharing information with police departments across the United States about National Preparedness Month activities in their communities and how they can join those efforts. Contact: Dan Rosenblatt, 703-836-6767 ext. 201
International Association of Emergency Managers – The International Association of Emergency Managers is promoting its free Talking about Disasters guide as a way to create awareness during National Preparedness Month and provide local emergency managers and homeland security officials with a reference resource. Contact: Beth Armstrong, 703-538-1795
International Association of Fire Chiefs – The International Association of Fire Chiefs will post information about citizen emergency preparedness and a link to www.ready.gov on their website to tell their members about National Preparedness Month. Contact: Jennifer Ashley, 703-273-0911
International Union of Operating Engineers – The International Union of Operating Engineers will feature an article about emergency preparedness in their newsletter which reaches 600,000. They will also continue to conduct preparedness and other homeland security related training classes for their 425,000 members. Contact: Chris Hanley, 202-778-2679
The Latino Coalition – The Latino Coalition will disseminate information regarding emergency preparedness to its network of Hispanic community associations throughout the nation during September. Contact: Robert de Posada, 202-546-0008
Medical Reserve Corps – The Medical Reserve Corps National Program Office will provide information to their local members on how to get involved in National Preparedness Month, link their website to www.ready.gov and discuss emergency preparedness in presentations and at events throughout the month. Subsequently, local MRC units will participate in a variety of events such as volunteer training, mock disaster drills and a community fair emphasizing personal and community preparedness. Contact: Marna Hoard, 301-443-4951
Minority Business Roundtable – The Minority Business Roundtable will work through its members, which include small, medium and large minority-owned businesses, and strategic partners to engage state and local organizations around the country in promoting emergency preparedness through information dissemination and community level workshops that assist them in preparing their family and community action plans. Contact: John Liddell, 202-312-1524
National Association of Broadcasters – The National Association of Broadcasters has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to create Are You Ready? a step-by-step emergency preparedness guidebook for local broadcasters. The guide provides detailed instructions about how broadcasters can prepare their stations for emergencies and get involved in promoting preparedness in their communities. The NAB will make this valuable resource available to all television and radio broadcast stations during September. Additionally, NAB will promote and distribute emergency preparedness public service advertisements as well as develop and host a Ready section on their website. Contact: Dennis Wharton 202-429-5350 (media) or Sarah Roberts 202-429-5448 (general information)
National Association of Counties – The National Association of Counties will publish an article on emergency preparedness in County News which has a circulation of 20,000. The organization will also encourage its members, officials from more than 2,000 counties, to take steps to prepare their communities. Contact: Jason Shedlock, 202-942-4252
National Association of County and City Health Officials – NACCHO will promote emergency preparedness to the approximately 3,000 local public health agencies around the United States through Project Public Health Ready and an expansion of the Advanced Practice Centers program. Contact: Michael Fraser, 202-783-5550
National Association of the Deaf – NAD will provide information about National Preparedness Month on its website and will highlight emergency preparedness in their newsletter. Contact: Anita Farb, 301-587-1788
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians – The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians will promote emergency preparedness by providing information to its state board of governors and linking to www.ready.gov on their website. Contact: Richard Ellis, 800-346-2368
National Association of State EMS Directors – NASEMSD is creating National Preparedness Month awareness among the EMS community through its twice-monthly Washington Update, which reaches all organizations whose members have a role or interest in emergency medical services. Contact: Beth Armstrong, 703-538-1795
National Business Group on Health – The National Business Group on Health is releasing comprehensive employer resources that stress the importance of public/private partnerships around emergency preparedness. Contact: Ian Dixon, 202-588-1801
National Cable & Telecommunications Association – NCTA will distribute the public service advertisements on emergency preparedness to cable systems and programmers across the country. In addition, the organization will share emergency preparedness information with its members, which include cable operators, cable programming services, equipment suppliers and service providers. Contact: Robert Stoddard or David Pierce, 202-775-3629
National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards – In addition to promoting emergency preparedness among their members, NCSBCS and the Association of Major City and County Bulding Officials will include a special symposium entitled "Homeland Security - A Review of National Preparedness, State and Local Government Role, Responsibilities and Best Practices." at their joint annual meeting in Salt Lake City, UT on September 29. Contact: Robert Wible, 703-481-2035
National Crime Prevention Council – NCPC will take part in September by talking about the close connection between preparedness and prevention. In addition, they will feature a discussion about preparedness at their regional conference in Cincinnati, OH on September 10. Contact: Michelle Boykins, 202-261-4184
National Emergency Management Association – NEMA will provide information about individual emergency preparedness on its website and in its monthly newsletter. Contact: Karen Cobuluis, 859-244-8143
National Fatherhood Initiative – The National Fatherhood Initiative will publish an article on emergency preparedness in its quarterly newsletter, Fatherhood Today, which reaches 10,000 individuals. The article will also be featured in the organization's weekly Dad E-mail that goes to 8,300. Contact: Vincent DiCaro, 301-948-0599
National Fire Protection Association – In September, NFPA will be holding training sessions on private sector preparedness across the country. Contact: Margie Coloian, 617-984-7275
National Governors Association – NGA is encouraging all governors to take part in National Preparedness Month by hosting events in their states. Contact: Nolan Jones, 202-624-5360
National Guard Bureau – Through their nearly 500,000 members, the National Guard Bureau will educate their force, families and communities on how they support civilian emergency responders in all 54 states and territories and how they can assist in emergency preparedness. The National Guard has also posted detailed information, including links to Ready.gov, on their state and national websites. Contact: Dan Stoneking, 703-607-2554
National League of Cities – Contact: Veronique Pluviose-Fenton, 202-626-3029
National Organization on Disability – National Organization on Disability will host the National Capital Region Conference on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities September 22 - 24 in Arlington, VA. Contact: Tom Gittins, 202-293-5960
National Retail Federation – Through several newsletters and their website, the National Retail Federation, which represents more than 1.4 million retail establishments, will encourage its members to prepare for emergencies and to promote individual emergency preparedness in their establishments. The organization has also been working closely with the America Prepared Campaign on a number of preparedness initiatives. Contact: Scott Krugman, 202-626-8119
National Safety Council – The National Safety Council will support National Preparedness Month by linking their website to Ready.gov and by talking about the effort and the importance of citizen emergency preparedness during the annual NSC Congress and Exposition in New Orleans, September 10-17. Contact: John Ulczycki, 630-775-2160
National Sheriffs’ Association – The National Sheriffs’ Association will feature National Preparedness Month in the next issue of Sheriff magazine, which has a circulation of 22,000. The Association will also ask their members, the 3,088 sheriffs across the nation, to plan events during September related to preparedness. Contact: Dean Kueter, 703-836-7827
National Volunteer Fire Council – The National Volunteer Fire Council will include citizen emergency preparedness information in its e-mail newsletter and will post information on its website encouraging local fire departments to get involved in National Preparedness Month by hosting events. Contact: Craig Sharman, 202-887-5700
Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons – The Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons will be taking part in National Preparedness Month by: incorporating preparedness information in its daily e-mail newsletter; working with other regional organizations to better inform public officials of the unique needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals; and partnering with the National Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network coalition to release a national report on experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people during 9/11 and subsequent emergencies. Contact: Cheryl Heppner, 703-352-9055 ext. 105
Operation Blessing International – OBI will communicate the importance of emergency preparedness and encourage individuals to take steps to prepare through its website as well as emails that will reach over 2,500 churches and non-profit organizations across the United States, as well as over 125,000 individuals. Contact: Vytas A. Omilijonas 1-800-436-6348.
Operation HOPE – In September, Operation HOPE’s economic disaster response initiative, HOPE Coalition America will unveil the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit, a tool to help Americans prepare for the economic effects of natural disasters and national emergencies and the financial uncertainty that follows such events. The organization will also be launching community workshops throughout the nation on emergency financial preparedness. Contact: Andrew Sousa, 213-891-2908
Outdoor Advertising Association – During National Preparedness Month, OAAA will promote and distribute emergency preparedness public service announcements. Contact: Meredith Mueller, 202-833-5566
The Points of Light Foundation – The Points of Light Foundation will be working with the Volunteer Center National Network, comprised of over 360 Volunteer Centers across the nation to promote citizen emergency preparedness. Contact: Kristin Buckley, 202-729-8169
The Public Discourse Project (formerly the 9/11 Commission) – The Public Discourse Project will continue to make emergency preparedness a priority. Particularly, its members will work to educate the private sector that preparedness for rescue, restart, and recovery of operations should include a plan for evacuation, adequate communications capabilities, and a plan for continuity of operations, as outlined in the Commission's report.
Reserve Officers Association – The Reserve Officers Association will share emergency preparedness information with its members through an article in its magazine, The Officer, that reaches 80,000. Contact: Lou Leto, 202-646-7726
The Safe America Foundation – The Safe America Foundation is promoting emergency preparedness in September by: developing a children’s website, www.SafeAmericaKids.com, to help families prepare and be safer; and by distributing preparedness information at Delta Air Lines Crown Rooms in airports throughout America. Contact: Len Pagano, 770-973-7233
The Salvation Army – Ready brochures will be distributed at all Salvation Army Centers and Salvation Army Thrift Stores across the country in September. Contact: John Jones, 703-684-5500
Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. – TDI will provide information about National Preparedness Month and highlight emergency preparedness in their e-mail newsletter, TDI-L e-Notes. Contact: Claude Stout, 301-589-3786 or 301-589-3006 TTY
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation, is using its partnership in National Preparedness Month to help get the business community prepared. The Chamber will distribute emergency preparedness information to its employees nationwide and encourage its members, which include businesses, state and local chambers of commerce, and trade and professional associations, to do the same. In addition, the organization will join with Homeland Security to launch Ready for Business, and encourage all businesses to take practical steps to prepare for any possible emergency. Contact: Andrew Howell, 202-463-5811
The U.S. Conference of Mayors – The U. S. Conference of Mayors has included an article on emergency preparedness and National Preparedness Month in the upcoming issue of USMAYOR. The article and a feature on their website will outline ways mayors can get involved in citizen preparedness. Contact: Ed Somers, 202-293-7330
U.S. Department of Education – The U.S. Department of Education has been working very closely with states and local schools to promote school safety and emergency preparedness. During National Preparedness Month, they will continue these efforts by awarding Emergency Crisis Management grants to help school districts develop comprehensive crisis plans. The Department will also provide school districts with information on best practices and lessons learned from the first group of emergency crisis grants. Contact: Susan Aspey, 202-401-3026
U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Month activities will include initiatives related to the Ready campaign as well as events hosted by Citizen Corps. In September, DHS will build on its Ready campaign, a national public education effort launched in 2003 in partnership with the Ad Council designed to educate and empower individuals to prepare for emergencies by getting a kit, making a family communications plan and being informed about potential threats. Ready for Business will be launched to educate small and medium-sized businesses about safeguarding their employees and assets while preparing for business continuity in the event of a disaster. In addition, Citizen Corps, the Department’s community-based organization that encourages Americans to volunteer to make their communities safer and better prepared for emergencies, will organize events through its 1,400 state and local Councils across the country. Contact: Press Office, 202-282-8010
U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science – NCLIS will distribute "Trust and Terror: A Proposal to Expand the Role of U.S. Libraries in Crisis Information Dissemination and Management," and reach out to library managers, public agencies, and community authorities to highlight the critical role that libraries can play in emergency preparedness and response. Contact: Beth Fitzsimmons, 202-606-9200
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners – The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners plans to provide preparedness information to its more than 550,000 members through its magazine and website. Contact: Doug Puppel, 702-938-1111 ext.2048
United Service Organization – Contact: John Hanson, 703-908-6400
United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce – The U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce will produce emergency preparedness information in English and Spanish to share with its more than 200,000 members. The Chamber will also include preparedness information in their e-newsletter, e-mails, press releases and on their website. Contact: Gerardo Funes, 202-312-1520
USA Freedom Corps – The USA Freedom Corps will continue to encourage individuals and organizations to learn about preparedness and participate in National Preparedness Month activities across the country through its Citizen Corps initiative and through information on its website. Contact: Therese Lyons, 202-456-7345
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States – The VFW will urge its 1.7 million members to prepare for emergencies through articles in various VFW publications and on its website. Contact: Joe Davis, 202-543-2239
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority – WMATA will take part in National Preparedness Month by: establishing a Metro Citizen Corps; creating an "Alternate Route Planning Guide"; providing preparedness information to employees; and hosting safety and security open houses throughout the month at select Metrorail stations where customers can learn about transit emergency preparedness. Contact: Ray Feldmann or Lisa Farbstein, 202-962-1051
World Vision of the United States – World Vision U.S. will take part in National Preparedness Month by promoting emergency preparedness among employees while continuing its efforts to encourage business continuity and emergency response. They will kick off September with an evacuation exercise and distribute personal evacuation kits to employees. Contact: Paul Duke, 253-815-2513 or Janice Edwards, 202-572-6300
Alabama - September 10 will be "Alabama Be Ready Day" with a press conference and rally at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, AL. Contact: Tracey Ayres, Alabama Department of Homeland Security, 334-956-7254
Alaska – Contact: Mike Haller, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, 907-428-6031
American Samoa – Governor Togiola Tulafono will issue a proclamation declaring September “American Samoa Preparedness Month.” Contact: Leiataua Birdsall V. Ala'ilima, Office of the Governor of American Samoa, 011-684-699-5334
Arizona – Contact: Judy Kioski, Arizona Division of Emergency Management, 602-231-6245
Arkansas - Governor Mike Huckabee will issue a proclamation declaring September “Arkansas Preparedness Month.” Contact: Christie Brinsfield, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, Public Affairs - 501-730-9798
California – The state of California is working with Citizen Corps Councils across the state to host emergency preparedness events and trainings. Contact: Eric Lameroux, California Office of Emergency Services, 916-845-8456
Colorado – The state of Colorado will host emergency preparedness trainings and town hall meetings across the state. Contact: Patti Micciche, Colorado Public Safety Department, 303-239-4415
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands – September 20-24, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will host a week-long series of events with each day's activities focused on a specific type of emergency preparedness - typhoon, fire, earthquake, flooding and terrorism. Contact: Peter Callaghan, Governor's Press Office, 670-664-2291
Connecticut – Contact: Adam Jeamel, Office of the Governor of Connecticut, 860-524-7351
Delaware – The State of Delaware will promote emergency preparedness among its residents through a series of events including a press conference by the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security to unveil new homeland security assets at the Delaware State Police Headquarters in Dover, DE. Contact: Kimberly Chandler, Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 302-744-2680
District of Columbia – Throughout the month of September, dozens of activities are planned in the District of Columbia to highlight the importance of individual and community emergency preparedness including: an “Emergency Preparedness Day” event on September 9 hosted by DC Emergency Management Agency, DC Citizen Corps and American Red Cross, National Capital Area, where Mayor Williams will hand out disaster kits for seniors. Contact: Sandra A. Perkins, District of Columbia Emergency Management Agency, 202- 727-3150
Florida – Contact: Jim Hampton - Florida Department of Emergency Management, 850-413-9880
Georgia – The state of Georgia is planning a month long series of events with each week's activities focused on emergency preparedness for a specific audience -government, families, schools and businesses. Contact: Lisa Ray, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, 404-635-7000 (media) or Frances Butler, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, 404-635-7030 (general information)
Guam – Guam will be designating September “Guam Preparedness Month” and hosting several trainings for first responders. Contact: Shawn Gumataotao, Office of the Governor of Guam, 671-475-9303
Hawaii – In September, Hawaii State Civil Defense is launching public education campaigns about hurricane preparedness, flood awareness, and Citizen Corps to promote community safety. In addition, on September 28, as part of tsunami awareness, the state of Hawaii will distribute copies of a DVD/ video about the dangers of trying to surf a tsunami. Contact Leighton Ah Cook, Hawaii State Civil Defense, 808-733-4300
Idaho – September 20-24 the state of Idaho will host "Idaho Prepares" a training conference for first responders across the state. Contact: Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security, 208-334-3460
Illinois – The state of Illinois will take part in National Preparedness Month by: declaring September “Homeland Security Begins at Home Month”; releasing public service announcements highlighting preparedness; and hosting a training conference for first responders. Contact: Patti Thompson, Illinois Office of Communication and Information, 217-558-0546
Indiana – The state of Indiana is planning several activities including: meetings for local leaders across the state on homeland security efforts; testing of the Indiana Alert Network; and a proclamation declaring September as “Indiana Preparedness Month.” Contact: Lori Lambert, Indiana Counter-Terrorism and Security Council, 317-232-8303
Iowa – On September 9, Governor Tom Vilsack will hold a press conference to highlight Iowa's preparedness efforts and to talk about how citizens can be more prepared for emergencies and disasters. Contact: Lucinda Parker, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, 515-281-3231
Kansas – On September 9, Governor Kathleen Sebelius will proclaim September “National Preparedness Month in Kansas” and host a kick off event at the Kansas State capitol in Topeka. The event will include numerous displays by Kansas Homeland Security partners designed to inform citizens and enable them to be prepared and respond to emergencies and disasters. Contact: Joy Moser, Kansas Adjutant General's Department, 785-274-1192
Kentucky – The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Office of the Governor, will issue a proclamation declaring September “National Preparedness Month.” Several other state agencies will also participate in the announcement of this proclamation on September 9. Contact: Beth Wilson, Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, 502-607-5716
Louisiana – The state of Louisiana will launch "Louisiana Prepares" an initiative with the American Red Cross. Contact: Mike Brown, Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness, 225-925-7344
Maine – Governor John Baldacci, the Maine Emergency Management Agency, the Maine chapters of the American Red Cross and the Maine Citizen Corps Council in a coordinated campaign will be providing residents with helpful information about dealing with disasters in Maine through news releases and the state website. Contact: Lynette Miller, Maine Emergency Management Agency, 207-624-4420
Maryland – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and public safety officials will discuss National Preparedness Month at a variety of public events across Maryland in September. The state will also issue a press release and promote Ready.gov on its website. Contact: Jim Pettit, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, 410-974-2619
Massachusetts – Massachusetts is reaching out to its citizens about emergency preparedness through the public schools and family events. The hallmark event will be “Massachusetts Community Emergency Response Team Family Day” on September 25 sponsored by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Contact: Katie Ford, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety, 617-727-7775
Michigan – The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management Division will sponsor a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive training for members of the media. Contact: Dana Wolverton of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management Division, 517-333-5032
Minnesota – The state of Minnesota will take part in National Preparedness Month by sponsoring a booth at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, MN and by hosting a September 9 press conference on citizen preparedness. Contact: Nancy Torner, Minnesota Department of Public Safety: 651-282-2915
Mississippi – The state of Mississippi, and cities and counties throughout the state will host events to promote emergency preparedness throughout September. Contact: Amy Carruth or Lea Stokes, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, 601-960-9039
Missouri – On September 9 there will be a preparedness rally at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, MO. Contact: Kimberley Sprenger, Missouri Office of Homeland Security, 573-522-3007
Montana – Governor Judy Martz will hold a news conference on September 8 to present a proclamation announcing Montana's participation in recognizing September as National Preparedness Month. The Governor will also issue a statewide news release, a letter to state employees, and information will be posted to the state's website inviting citizens to participate in the efforts involved in preparing for disaster. Contact: Monique T. Lay, Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, 406-841-3911 or Chuck Butler, Office of the Governor of Montana, 406-444-3111
Nebraska – Governor Mike Johanns will issue a proclamation declaring September “Nebraska Preparedness Month.” Contact: Terri Teuber, Office of the Governor of Nebraska, 402-471-1967
Nevada – Contact: Gwen Hadd, Homeland Security Advisor's Office, 775-687-7320
New Hampshire – Governor Craig R. Benson will hold a news conference on September 8 at the New Hampshire State House with the American Red Cross, New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Management and other emergency management partners to encourage individual and family preparedness and volunteer efforts to help local communities. Contact: Jim Van Dongen, N.H. Bureau of Emergency Management, 603-271-2231
New Jersey – During September, the state will distribute two million copies of a Quick Guide to Emergency Preparedness in all New Jersey Sunday newspapers. In addition, several events will highlight first responder and state preparedness. Contact: Roger Shatzkin, Attorney General's Office, 609-292-4791
New Mexico – Contact: Sean Marcus, New Mexico Office of Homeland Security, 505-476-1050
New York – Governor George E. Pataki will issue a proclamation declaring September “Preparedness Month” in New York State. Contact: Dennis Michalski, New York State Emergency Management Office, 518-485-5666
North Carolina – Governor Mike Easley has proclaimed September “Ready North Carolina Month” and September 9 as "Ready North Carolina Day." A Preparedness Fair will be held on September 9 at the State Capitol in Raleigh, NC. A Ready North Carolina public health preparedness guide will be inserted in newspapers statewide on September 12 with a Hispanic language version going to all the Latino newspapers. Contact: Renee Hoffman, Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, 919-733-5027
North Dakota – On September 8 the state of North Dakota will sponsor a National Preparedness Month event at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck, ND. Contact: Gordon Weixel, North Dakota Division of Emergency Management, 701-328-8145
Ohio – On September 9 the state of Ohio will host "Be Aware, Be Prepared Day” at a Columbus, OH fire station. During the event, Governor Bob Taft, Ohio's Homeland Security leaders, first responders, Citizen Corps and the Red Cross will join forces to highlight what Ohioans are doing to increase emergency preparedness efforts. Governor Taft will also promote “Ohio Citizen Corps' Sign Up Day" and encourage residents to get involved in state homeland security efforts through volunteering. Contact: Susan Raber, Ohio Department of Public Safety, 614-466-6178
Oklahoma – Governor Brad Henry will issue a proclamation declaring September “Oklahoma Preparedness Month.” Contact: Brooke Borden, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, 405-425-7293
Oregon - The State of Oregon is planning several activities for National Preparedness Month including: exercises in the State Emergency Coordination Center and State Joint Information Center; public service advertisements, press releases and other promotions of preparedness information for residents of Oregon; exercises and preparedness promotions by several cities and counties across the state; and a proclamation declaring September “National Preparedness Month” for all Oregonians. Contact: Kenneth D. Murphy, Oregon Emergency Management, 503-378-2911 ext. 22225
Pennsylvania – On September 9 the state of Pennsylvania will host a "Get Involved" rally at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, PA. Contact: Abe Amoros, Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, 717 783-1116
Puerto Rico – Contact: Bryan Bieppa, Puerto Rico Attorney General’s Office, 787-723-7924
Rhode Island – Rhode Island will be hosting a number of events at the state and local level: including a press conference with Governor Donald L. Carcieri; a statewide preparedness exercise; and a statewide emergency preparedness symposium for Rhode Island cities and towns. Contact: Mike McNamara, Office of the Rhode Island Adjutant General, 401-275-4193
South Carolina – Contact: Ron Osborne, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 803-737-8566
South Dakota – The South Dakota Department of Public Safety, along with state and local first responders and volunteers will educate South Dakotans about citizen preparedness at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, SD, September 4-11. In addition, Governor Mike Rounds declared September 9 "South Dakota Citizen Preparedness Day,” which will be celebrated at the State Fair. Contact: Stephanie Tveidt, Department of Public Safety, 605-773-3212.
Tennessee – Contact: Randy Harris, Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, 615-313-0662
Texas – Governor Rick Perry will proclaim September “Texas Disaster Preparedness Month,” as will many Texas counties and cities. In addition, First Lady Anita Perry will unveil new Together We Prepare – Texas public service announcements with the American Red Cross and the Governor will host a reception for Texas First Responders. Contact: Kathy Walt, Office of the Governor of Texas, 512-463-1826.
Utah – Governor Olean Walker will issue a proclamation declaring September 2004 “Utah Preparedness Month.” Contact: Derek Jensen, Utah Department of Public Safety, 801-538-3738
Vermont – The state of Vermont is planning several activities including: online first aid and CPR trainings in coordination with the American Red Cross, posting preparedness messages on state highway signs and the distribution of preparedness brochures at the Vermont State Fair. Contact: Jessica Barber, Department of Public Safety, 802-241-5094
Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands is planning a series of public service advertisements, exhibits, open houses and presentations to schools, churches, homes for the elderly and other civic organizations on the importance of emergency preparedness. Contact: Major General Cleave A. McBean or Harold M. Baker, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, 340-774-2244
Virginia – Governor Mark Warner will issue a proclamation declaring September “Virginia Preparedness Month.” Contact: Robert B. Newman, Jr., Virginia Governor's Office, 804-225-3826
West Virginia – Contact: Randy Coleman, West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, 304-558-2930
Washington – Governor Gary Locke will issue a proclamation declaring September Washington Preparedness Month. Contact: Rob Harper, Washington Emergency Management Division, (253) 512-7005 or Ted Buehner, National Weather Service, 206-526-6857
Wisconsin – The state of Wisconsin is planning several activities including the launch of an initiative designed to make it easier for citizens to volunteer to prepare their communities, open houses at local and state emergency response agencies across the state and a proclamation declaring September “Wisconsin Preparedness Month.” Contact: Tim Donovan, Wisconsin National Guard, 608-242-3050
Wyoming - The state of Wyoming is planning several activities including: a public service advertising campaign for Wyoming Citizen Corps; emergency kit distributions; and a proclamation declaring September Wyoming Preparedness Month. Contact: Kelly Ruiz, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, 307-777-4909
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September 1, 2004
This page was last modified on 09/01/04 00:00:00