In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

This edition of the “What Should We Tell The Public?” video series features Joseph Bruno, the Commissioner of New York City’s Office of Emergency Management. He is someone I have spoken with on a number of occasions as part of my research into public preparedness, and I have learned a lot from him. (He also [...]

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A new report gives state and local health departments mixed grades for distributing information through the internet to the public during the H1N1 outbreak. According to an article in U.S. News & World Report:
After the U.S. government declared a public health emergency in April, 46 of 50 state health departments posted some information about the [...]

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An Obama Administration working group has issued new guidelines which aim to strengthen the government’s oversight of the nation’s food supply, according to the Associated Press:
“A food safety panel established by President Barack Obama developed the new rules for eggs, poultry, beef, leafy greens, melons and tomatoes as well as for better coordination and communication [...]

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In another example of government authorities utilizing social media as a new way of reaching out to the public, Ohio State University police have posted a request for tips regarding a fatal house fire on Facebook. In the post titled “OSU Fires — Looking for Answers,” the police write:
“Do you remember this??? We are desperately [...]

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The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has 10 regional offices (see map here for how they are divided). Each of them now has their own Twitter feed. You can go to the Homeland Security Department’s social media page here  to sign up. These have just started up, and they vary by office as far as frequency of [...]

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Below are the winners of the ‘Send Me A Preparedness Tip, Win A Disaster Kit’ Contest. Readers were asked to send one of the following: an emergency preparedness tip, something you have done to prepare for a disaster, or a suggestion to improve preparedness in your community. Entries came by email, on the blog and [...]

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A recent Red Cross survey found that almost one in two Americans have had a “drowning scare”. That’s a stat which grabs your attention and offers a good reason to review summer safety, which includes swimming and CPR/AED. See this American Red Cross webpage for more information. Swimmers of all ages and abilities can develop [...]

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On July 4th, some tips on fireworks safety from the U.S. Fire Administration:
*The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home – period. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.
*Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) – hot enough [...]

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Calling citizens part of “the nation’s emergency response team,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate is urging Americans to prepare for emergencies this July 4th Weekend:
“As we take this opportunity to observe the July 4th holiday with loved ones and friends, we are reminded of all we have to be thankful for and why it is so [...]

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The Obama Administration will be holding a H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit on Thursday at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan will host the all-day parley to further prepare the nation for the possibility [...]

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