In Case of Emergency, Read This Blog

In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness

Entries from May 2010

On Memorial Day, When Thank You Is Hardly Enough

May 31st, 2010 · 2 Comments

Today, we honor those of our fellow Americans who have given their lives on our behalf and their families who continue to carry that burden.
When I was diagnosed with a life threatening disease at age 45, some would tell me I was young to have to face mortality. But throughout my treatment I’ve always felt that [...]

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Tags: Preparedness Lessons

EPA Expands Public Participation On Hazardous Waste Cleanup With “Community Engagement Initiative”

May 30th, 2010 · 1 Comment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an initiative to help communities more effectively participate in government decisions related to land cleanup, emergency preparedness and response, and the management of hazardous substances and waste. According to the press release:

The Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) plan lays out specific steps EPA is taking to provide communities [...]

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Tags: City Preparedness

“10 Reasons Social Media Is Important In A Real Crisis”

May 29th, 2010 · 2 Comments

Via the Glen Gilmore and Social Media blog comes a good piece, “10 Reasons Social Media Is Important In A Real Crisis.” The reason are listed below:
1. “Official” social media accounts created by governmental agencies can become a leading hub for sharing critical information,
2. Social media beats traditional media in reporting news first; people [...]

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Tags: Preparedness 2.0 · Preparedness Resources

Citizen Preparedness Apathy A Problem Not Only Here In U.S. — Indifference Marks This Week’s Israeli National Civil Defense Drill

May 28th, 2010 · No Comments

Thanks to the Recovery Diva, Claire Rubin, for sending me an article from the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, “Public Indifference To Civil Defense Drills Highlights Israeli Apathy” about the Mideast nation’s Turning Point 4 exercise this week.
Israel is often cited as a model of civil defense and the nationwide Turning Point drill includes significant civilian involvement. [...]

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Tags: International · Preparedness Events

Louisiana Tax Free Preparedness Supplies Weekend Begins Tomorrow Joining Virginia; Why Don’t Other States, Feds Follow Suit?

May 28th, 2010 · No Comments

Louisiana’s Hurricane Preparedness Tax Holiday begins tomorrow. During the weekend, state residents can purchase preparedness-related products without paying sales tax. Virginia’s preparedness tax free week also wraps up on Sunday.
As these holidays are viewed as successful by Louisiana and Virginia, I do not understand why other states do not adopt the idea (and that the [...]

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Tags: Preparedness Incentives

Humorous “Dad Labs” Video On Preparing Their Families For Disasters Advocates For & Lampoons Preparedness

May 27th, 2010 · 1 Comment

The parenting advice site, Dad Labs, has an amusing and informative video about preparing for disasters. In the video, Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad discuss what parents should have in case of an emergency. What’s nice is that they approach the topic with humor and seriousness both emphasizing the importance of preparedness but also lampooning [...]

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Tags: Humor · Preparedness Resources

“Are You Red Cross Ready In Sign Language?” Video

May 27th, 2010 · No Comments

Students and staff from the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) created a video below in American Sign Language (ASL) to help the American Red Cross Willamette Chapter in Salem, Oregon reach more people in the community.
The “Are You Red Cross Ready?” video, which was filmed on the OSD campus, informs people about three important [...]

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Tags: Red Cross · Special Needs Preparedness

Attention CERT Members: Send Me Your Feedback On The Program — How Is It Going? What’s Working? What Isn’t? How Could It Be Improved? Any Messages For FEMA?

May 26th, 2010 · 7 Comments

Last month, I wrote a post, “As 25th Birthday Approaches, Is It Time To Reevaluate CERT’s Role, Management, Training, Resources, Etc.?”, discussing the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program (which I participate in here in New York City). I was prompted to write it by another post on the blog Homeland Security Watch in which Mark [...]

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Tags: CERT · Federal Emergency Management Administration

“Want To Help Report The Oil Spill? There’s An App For That” — CrisisCommons Also Planning “Adopt-A-Beach” Crowdsourcing Initiative To Allow Public To Help In Oil Spill Recovery

May 26th, 2010 · No Comments

Andy Carvin, a senior strategist at NPR’s social media desk, just tweeted an announcement that the volunteer group CrisisCommons has released the Oil Reporter app to help citizens report on the Gulf Coast Oil Spill:
With tar balls and oil sheens beginning to reach the Gulf Coast, government officials and wildlife groups are anxious to document [...]

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Tags: Preparedness 2.0 · Volunteer Opportunities

Social Media Increasingly Part Of Local Government/Media Hurricane Preparedness Efforts

May 25th, 2010 · No Comments

SunSentinel.com in South Florida has an article, “Social Media Likely To Play Role During Hurricane Season,” which describes how local government and media are increasingly using the new information distribution platform in their disaster preparedness plans:
Before a storm hits, the Internet-driven sites will allow people to monitor a tropical system’s progress, receive evacuation orders and [...]

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Tags: City Preparedness · Hurricane Preparedness · Media · Preparedness 2.0