DHS Preparedness Directorate and the U.S. Fire Administration Complete May PREPnet Readiness Broadcasts on 31st

News Release Date: May 31, 2006

EMMITSBURG, MD - As the month of May draws to a close, Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Directorate's Acting U. S. Fire Administrator Charlie Dickinson is reminding interested parties about the Getting Ready for Disaster programs being broadcast weekly over USFA's Training and Education Preparedness Network (PREPnet). Throughout the month of May, additional broadcasts of readiness programs have been provided across the nation as the Preparedness Directorate continues to emphasize all types of disaster planning and preparedness through education, awareness, and training.

"We realize that community expectations are higher than ever as citizens turn to local and state government for information they need to prepare themselves for any emergency," said Dickinson. "I am grateful to all local and state emergency managers, working with media, NATOA station managers and cable broadcasters, who joined with PREPnet to capture and rebroadcast this important information."

The final May broadcasts of Getting Ready for Disaster are scheduled for May 31st. "If you haven't had a chance to watch or tape this show in previous weeks, I strongly encourage you to take the time to record this programming today," according Dickinson. "We can't emphasize enough the importance of knowing what steps to take to ensure your family is prepared."

As a reminder, (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 video about one family's experiences and the steps that family took to get ready. Two additional preparedness segments complete each 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 other segment looks at flash floods, providing insight into the terrible danger created in mere minutes.

May's two remaining 1-hour broadcasts will air over PREPnet on May 31 (today) from 2-3 pm Eastern Time and again from 7-8 pm Eastern Time. Technical tests for all broadcasts will begin at 1:30 pm Eastern Time and 6:45 pm Eastern Time, prior to each broadcast.

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

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

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