September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

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September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

Release Date: September 12, 2008

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Hurricane Ike is expected to make landfall in Texas and parts of the Gulf of Mexico late Friday or early Saturday and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign (www.ready.gov) reminds residents about the importance of taking precautionary measures and listening to local officials. Specifically, the Ready Campaign encourages citizens to get an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan, and to be informed about what to do if asked to evacuate. 

“This is a deadly serious storm and residents in the likely impact area should treat it that way,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “I urge people to listen to their local officials, and if told to evacuate, do it immediately. For residents not in evacuation zones who are sheltering in place, you need to ensure you have supplies to sustain yourself and your family for at least three days. If you go outside, be careful of downed power lines and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.”

Hurricanes often produce high winds, tornadoes, large amounts of rain and power outages that can affect citizens for days after the initial storm has passed. Therefore, it is important for residents to have at least a three-day supply of water for each individual in your family, including pets, along with non-perishable food, a first aid kit, battery-powered radio, extra batteries and a flashlight.

If asked to evacuate, make sure you have a “to go” bag ready. It should include all of the items listed above as well as:

• Maps/evacuation routes
• Important documents such as proof residence, pictures of your family including pets, insurance policies, and tax records;
• Comfortable clothing and blankets;
• Unique family needs such as prescription medications, pet supplies, infant supplies or any other unique need your family may have

Plan to evacuate

• Identify ahead of time several places you could go in an emergency, a friend’s home in another town, a motel or public shelter.
• If you do not have a car, plan alternate means of evacuating.
• Take your “to go” bag
• Take your pets with you, but understand that some shelters only take service animals.

Ready’s Web site, www.ready.gov, is a free resource where individuals can find an emergency supply checklist (www.ready.gov/america/getakit/kit-print.html), download an emergency plan (www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf ) and link to local information. Ready also has resources and tools available on its Web site to help business owners ensure their business plans stay up and running, talk to their employees and protect their assets. For information in Spanish, visit www.listo.gov.  Individuals can also call 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO for more emergency preparedness information. 

February 2008 marked the Ready Campaign’s fifth year at the Department of Homeland Security. Launched in 2003 in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since its launch, the campaign has generated more than $756.5 million in donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov.

http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1221241068924.shtm

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September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

http://virginiahazmat.org/displayconvention.cfm

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September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

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September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

The Homeland Security Department’s “Information Sharing Strategy” is based on “five guiding principles,” writes Charlie Allen, Homeland Security Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and Chief Intelligence Officer: (1) Fostering information sharing is a core DHS mission; (2) DHS must use the established governance structure to make information-sharing decisions; (3) DHS must commit sufficient resources to information sharing; (4) DHS must measure progress toward information-sharing goals; (5) DHS must maintain information and data security and protect privacy and civil liberties. [View Blog] [View press release] [View strategy]

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September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

“Washington state’s Military Department Emergency Management Division has launched” the NorthWest Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talk group, which “will provide interoperable emergency communications for state, federal and local responders in Washington, Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming,” reports Government Computer News. “… The service will provide interoperable push-to-talk radio and satellite phone service throughout the region that will not be affected by local terrestrial conditions.” It “is the fifth in a planned network of nine regional locally managed talk groups being set up throughout the country. Participants in any group also would be able to communicate with members of other regional talk groups being set up with the Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) service, as well as with a national pilot system being set up by the Homeland Security Department’s National Communications System.” [View article]

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September 12, 2008 by Tim McDowell.

ServiceNation is a national campaign to increase service opportunities, solve chronic social problems through service, and promote a culture of service in America. ServiceNation works toward an America where citizens unite to take responsibility for strengthening communities and building a better future, where service is a core ideal of citizenship, where citizens volunteer time in schools, workplaces, and faith-based and community institutions, and where increasing numbers of Americans will commit a year of their lives to national service.

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