Testimonials

 

Husker Activities are a Prime Educational Opportunity

In support of National Preparedness Month 2007, the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission Citizen Corps Program partnered with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, the University of Nebraska Athletic Department and Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, who serves as the Director of Homeland Security for Nebraska. The month provided an exciting opportunity to raise the awareness of individuals in Nebraska of the need to be prepared for any kind of disaster. Their efforts complemented the national efforts of Citizen Corps, Ready.gov and the Department of Homeland Security.

Their unique approach united the University of Nebraska Athletic Department with participants in national service programs, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and VISTA, to reach the thousands of Nebraskans attending football and volleyball games on September 22. The Husker football team faced Ball State while their defending national champion volleyball team took on Texas A&M. A Commission-developed flyer was distributed to fans highlighting National Preparedness Month, with Nebraska Citizen Corps and the Commission on one side and practical advice on how to program cell phones with "In Case of Emergency (ICE)" information on the other side. ICE helps first responders contact a person who could give important information to help treat that individual if they are incapable of providing a medical history themselves.

The Commission's Citizen Corps Program staffed an informational booth as part of the Husker Nation Pavilion pre-game festivities which also featured the Husker Sports Network Pre-game Show broadcasts, live bands, cheerleaders, the University of Nebraska Marching Band and fun activities for youth. This event attracted up to 25,000 people. Their display shared information including the ICE flyer, Ready Kids coloring books, stickers and other disaster preparedness activities for children.

Complementing this was the playing of Ready.gov public service announcements from the Ad Council – incorporating the Commission’s contact information – on the gigantic video screens inside the football stadium.

Additionally, Governor Heineman issued a proclamation sponsored by the Commission declaring September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska; Lt. Governor Sheehy taped a spot that was broadcast statewide on Sports Nightly News during the week prior to the September 22 football game; Ready.gov spots from the Ad Council, tagged for Nebraska, were sent to all television and radio stations in Nebraska for play during September; and Citizen Corps Councils across Nebraska distributed the ICE flyers in their home communities.

Read more National Preparedness Month Testimonials here.