DHS Preparedness Directorate and the U.S. Fire Administration Announce PREPnet Readiness Broadcasts in May

News Release Date: May 2, 2006

EMMITSBURG, MD - George Foresman, Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Directorate and Acting U. S. Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson announced today that throughout the month of May, USFA's National Preparedness Network (PREPnet) weekly broadcasts will emphasize and focus on disaster readiness by presenting the national program Are You Ready for Disasters. These 60 minute broadcasts are being made available for taping as well as download by all local, state and tribal governments. Media and local NATOA PEG channels are also invited and encouraged to capture these broadcasts and use the materials to help further prepare the resident of this nation.

"As we look squarely into the eyes of this year's hurricane season, and with recent flooding and tornado activities, residents and mainstream media of this nation can use programming such as this, to further aid in their preparedness for any hazard or threat they and their families may face," said Foresman. "Preparedness is a culture. I encourage all media, state, tribal and local governments to capture the broadcast and use the pieces to assist the residents of their communities."

Along this theme, the goal of May's enhanced readiness broadcasts is to better inform and prepare people all across the Nation. The Preparedness Directorate is placing a premium on the communication of all types of disaster planning and readiness through education, awareness, and training that can become as integrated in citizens' lives as reading, writing and arithmetic. Are You Ready for Disasters (30 minute run time) focuses on how being prepared for emergency situations can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. The broadcast includes a presentation of one family's experiences and the steps taken for that family to get them ready.

Two additional preparedness segments complete the broadcast. One is an instructional video explaining steps to follow in setting up a portable generator as an effective power supply, while minimizing the risk of fire and eliminating carbon monoxide fumes. And the final segment looks at flash floods, providing insight into the terrible danger created in mere minutes.

The eight 1-hour broadcasts of Are You Ready will air over PREPnet on Wednesdays May 3, 10, 17, and 31 from 2-3 pm Eastern Time and 7-8 pm Eastern Time.

In addition, on Wednesday, May 24 a special Weapons of Mass Destruction Consequence Management Program, will be aired by the National Preparedness Network (PREPnet) and recorded from 2-3 pm with a live-response audience question and answer session. The topic under discussion will be Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The recorded version of the program will air from 7-8 pm that evening.

Technical tests for all broadcasts will begin at 1:45 pm Eastern Time and 6:45 pm Eastern Time, prior to the broadcasts.

SATELLITE INFORMATION

	C-Band	Ku-Band
Satellite	Galaxy 3C	AMC 6
Transponder	3	22
Downlink Freq.	3760 MHz	12140 MHz
Audio Freq.	6.2/6.8 MHz	6.2/6.8 MHz
Location	95° West	72° West
Polarity	Horizontal	Horizontal

For the most current listing of programs and satellite information, check PREPnet's Web Page.

"USFA is very pleased to be contributing to this expansive preparedness effort," Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson said. "All TV stations, emergency management personnel, public and private industry, and each and every citizen are strongly encouraged to view and record this material to further enhance the understanding for how to prepare and manage risk in order to get ready for any hazard faced by a community."

In addition to the broadcasts, the Are You Ready Guide developed by the Emergency Management Institute and the U.S. Fire Administration, is free of charge and can be downloaded in both English and Spanish at the FEMA Web site. This guide leads readers through actions to become informed about local emergency plans, identifying hazards affecting their area, and instructs them in developing and maintaining emergency communications plans and building their own disaster supplies kits. Preparedness facts are based on the most reliable hazard awareness and emergency education information, such as the latest scientific knowledge and physical research surrounding things that happen in disasters. Facilitator guides containing adult and children training modules with a CD-ROM toolkit. Four preparedness booklets are also available, to include Preparing for Disaster; Food and Water in an Emergency; Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs; and Helping Children Cope with Disaster.

For more information about PREPnet and broadcast topics and scheduling, send an e-mail to PREPnet or call (800) 500-5164.