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A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness

Who Should Be The Celebrity Spokesperson For Citizen Preparedness: Brad, Angelina, Jack Bauer?

August 23rd, 2010 · 5 Comments

In a post this week on the social network website GovLoop, Andrew Krzmarzick asks a good question: “So which celebrity could bring awareness about a project or program being run by your agency, city or state?”

It’s a very relevant query for this blog as citizen preparedness has not had an ongoing high-profile celebrity spokesperson. To some in the readiness community, the absence of star power on the issue has been one reason for the lack of public attention. Though celebrities have been eager to participate in fundraising efforts after catastrophes like the Haiti effort), there is no big star who is singularly identified as a spokesperson for emergency preparedness.

The American Red Cross has used actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Raven Symone as preparedness spokespeople. Maria Shriver, Honorary Chair of California Volunteers, has been outspoken on earthquake readiness. But a national spokesperson would be very helpful in publicizing the issue in a sustained way.

Brad Pitt working on a Make It Right housing project in New Orleans.

Former White House Terrorism  Adviser Fran Townsend and Terri Bischoff, the outgoing CEO of the Red Cross of Greater New York chapter both told me they think Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who are rebuilding the homes in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward as part of the Make It Right redevelopment program, would be excellent spokespeople for disaster preparedness.

Personally, I’d like to see Jack Bauer a.k.a.Kiefer Sutherland be the spokesperson. Not only was his character phenomenally popular but the whole “24″ show is an argument for creating a family emergency communications plan. I think Jack would get the attention of Americans for the disaster issue as the “24″ did for eight seasons.

Your suggestions?

Jack and Kim Bauer could have used a family emergency communications plan.

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Tags: Media · Preparedness Ideas

5 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Ralph D // Aug 23, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    It’s so simple, I nominate John Solomon.
    Just as Craig Fugate represents the essence of FEMA, we need someone who is the real deal. I love the Jack Bauer character but… Does he know jack about preparedness? John does!

  • 2 Harry // Aug 24, 2010 at 10:47 am

    Chuck Norris

  • 3 ‘Here She Comes…Miss Preparedness’: Beauty Pageant Winner (& Afghanistan Combat Medic Vet) Uses Preparedness As Successful Issue Platform, Shows Connection Between Military Service & Civilian Disaster Readiness // Aug 26, 2010 at 9:12 am

    [...] I wrote about trying to find preparedness spokespeople from different areas including politics and entertainment. While reporting those articles, I happened to hear about a preparedness spokesperson from a [...]

  • 4 Rick // Aug 26, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    This is a no-brainer, it should be “The Ragin’ Cajun”… Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré of Katrina fame, now that is a celebrity that people will respect and listen to.

  • 5 As Nation Marks 9/11 Anniversary, 20 Ideas To Improve Citizen Preparedness & Engagement // Sep 10, 2010 at 9:14 am

    [...] 9) FIND POLITICAL, CELEBRITY PREPAREDNESS SPOKESPEOPLE – During the time that I have covered the topic of citizen emergency preparedness, one of the most surprising things I’ve found is that there is no major elected official who has taken the lead on the issue. It’s surprising for a number of reasons: natural disasters and terrorism dominate the headlines and will continue to for the foreseeable future; citizen preparedness is pretty much an unassailable, bipartisan, patriotic and community-building topic; and even the smallest interest in Washington has at least one political champion (but not public preparedness). And, with much to do, there is a great opportunity to have a positive policy and political impact. To some in the readiness community, the absence of star power on the issue has been one reason for the lack of public attention. Though celebrities have been eager to participate in fundraising efforts after catastrophes like the Haiti effort), there is no big star who is singularly identified as a spokesperson for emergency preparedness. [...]

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