FEMA Family Preparedness Day Scheduled
Festival of Learning Sunday, May 21 in New Orleans
Release Date: May 18, 2006
Release Number: 1603-478
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Family Preparedness Day will be held in Louisiana on Sunday, with entertainment, food and learning at a festive site in New Orleans. The fun will be woven into the essential work of planning for the uncertainty of the upcoming hurricane season.
The event begins at noon and will feature important information and free supplies to help prepare individuals and families to find safe shelter inside their homes, or to evacuate their homes or neighborhoods during any emergency.
Family Preparedness Day is bringing together many organizations to present emergency preparedness information in an atmosphere which will make learning fun, according to event organizers in Louisiana with The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Parents and children will be able to gather emergency supplies and decide where they will find safe shelter for themselves and their pets in the event of any kind of dangerous storm.
Many of the items which go into an emergency supply kit will be provided free at the event during activities and games. Free beverages and snacks, raffles, face painting and performances will be available at the Reily Student Recreation Center at Tulane University.
Free immunizations will be offered for children and adults. To take advantage of this service, parents are asked to bring immunization records for their kids. Records are not required for adults. For more information about immunization visit www.GNOshots4kids.com.
Family Preparedness Day at a glance:
Date: Sunday, May 21, 2006
Location: Reily Student Recreation Center, Tulane University, New Orleans
Time: Noon - 4:30 p.m.
Educational activities and materials:
- Guides to disaster preparedness
- How to assemble a family disaster kit with a scavenger hunt and a grab-and-go for free stuff
- How to create a family communication plan
- How to assist the elderly and disabled before and during a disaster
- Children's workshop
- How to help children prepare and cope
- Information for pet owners and displays from participating organizations
Sponsors, contributors and participants:
- Advocacy Center
- American Red Cross - New Orleans
- Americorps
- Coca Cola - Free Refreshments
- Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans
- Frito Lay - Free Chips and Snacks
- Greater New Orleans Immunization Network - Free Immunizations for Children and Adults
- Lemmie and Mabel Andrews Charitable Foundation; Through the Eyes of a Child - A Children's Art Display
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development - Evacuation Maps
- Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
- Louisiana State Police
- Orlean's Parish Sheriff's Department
- SPCA
- Through the Eyes of a Child - Children's Art Display
- Tulane University
A companion FEMA Family Preparedness event will be held in Lake Charles on the same day with many of the same activities.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 18-May-2006 10:33:33