As part of National Preparedness Month, FEMA will be sending journalists information each week in September to help spread the word about how people and communities can better prepare for specific disasters before they strike.
As we mentioned in the FEMA news release dated September 1, 2015, each week will focus on a different type of disaster. The inaugural week highlights floods and the steps people and communities should take to better weather the storm when it strikes and recover more quickly once it has passed.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607931-fema-national-prepareathon/
More than 40 U.S. states have some potential for earthquakes. To increase earthquake preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages all Americans to participate in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill happening on Thursday, October 15, at 10:15 a.m. local time.
“Residents in California aren't the only ones threatened by the potential of a catastrophic earthquake,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “From the Cascadia subduction zone in the Pacific Northwest to the New Madrid seismic zone in the South and Midwest, millions of Americans live and travel to areas that can be impacted by a major earthquake. All of us - regardless of where we live - should be prepared by knowing what to do: drop, cover, and hold on.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7607931-fema-national-prepareathon/
When IIHS began its booster seat ratings in 2008, most models failed to consistently provide good belt fit — the main purpose of a booster. This year, all new models evaluated by the Institute provide good or acceptable fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in most cars, minivans or SUVs.
Out of 23 new models evaluated, 20 earn the highest rating of BEST BET, meaning they are likely to provide good fit for a 4- to 8-year-old child in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Another three models are rated GOOD BETs, meaning they provide acceptable fit in most vehicles. There are no new models in the Not Recommended category, nor are there any with the Check Fit designation, which identifies seats that may work for some children in some vehicles.
Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, will work together with Microsoft, the leading platform and productivity company, to jointly develop next generation automotive technologies.
The two companies today revealed how Microsoft HoloLens, the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, might be used in future to redefine how customers first encounter and explore a car, as well as how cars might be bought and sold in future.
Areas of future collaboration between the two companies could include autonomous driving technologies and the utilisation of data generated from connected cars to create new services.
Today’s HoloLens demonstration was conducted at Microsoft’s global headquarters in Redmond, USA, and showed how mixed reality might be used by customers to configure cars in three dimensions. With HoloLens, a powerful, wearable computer, holograms are mixed into the physical world.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7668751-volvo-the-virtual-showroom/
Holiday car thieves had their busiest day in 2014 on, ironically, Labor Day, stealing 2,200 vehicles according to new data released today by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). NICB’s 2014 Annual Holiday Vehicle Theft Report analyzes data from the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which showed a total of 695,246 vehicle thefts for the year.
After Labor Day, New Year’s Day was the next most active holiday with 2,011 thefts. Halloween came in third with 2,010 thefts followed by Memorial Day with 1,933 thefts. Independence Day rounds out the top five holidays for 2014 with 1,877 thefts.
The holidays with the fewest thefts in 2014 were Christmas Day with 1,225 thefts and Thanksgiving with 1,384 thefts.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7523155-nicb-holiday-vehicle-theft-report/
The National Limousine Association (NLA) and When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation (WGS) join forces on The Aspire Initiative, a domestic violence program, which aims to reduce the level of intimate relationship violence in the US and instill the importance of bystander responsibility. With an escalating number of passenger assaults alleged against ride-hailing app drivers, the NLA believes Aspire is vital to ending violence and sexual assault. Robin McGraw announced the partnership in a video message posted to her Foundation’s Facebook timeline on Friday, November 20th. The message was then shared by Robin’s husband and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw to his show’s Facebook page timeline on Monday, November 23rd.
The Aspire Initiative is available free of charge and includes a potentially-lifesaving smartphone app, Aspire News, a smartphone app available as a free download on Google Play, as well as at www.whengeorgiasmiled.org, that allows the user to create a pre-written text or voice message to be sent to designated numbers (i.e., 911 or other chosen contacts) with just the tap of a button. The ignition of the app‘s “go button” also starts a recording to capture the details of the domestic violence encounter and/or other dangerous events taking place. Aspire News is designed to appear like any other smart phone app to the untrained eye, allowing it to be downloaded and used discreetly.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7430253-nla-wgs-the-aspire-initiative/
For the next six weeks, America’s PrepareAthon! and other preparedness partners will focus on various hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This first week highlights floods. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking easy steps to prepare for floods and other disasters.
America’s PrepareAthon!℠ is a grassroots, community-based campaign for action to get families, organizations, and entire communities better prepared for floods and other emergencies.
According to the National Weather Service, flooding, which can occur anywhere in America, proved to be the most costly hazard in 2015, exceeding $2.7 billion in damages.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/#release
For six weeks this spring, America’s PrepareAthon! and other preparedness partners will focus on various hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This second week highlights tornadoes. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking specific steps to prepare for tornadoes and other disasters.
America’s PrepareAthon!SM is a grassroots, community-based campaign for action to get families, organizations, and entire communities better prepared for tornadoes and other emergencies.
According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes caused $320 million in damages in 2015.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/
PetSafe® brand is offering pet parents an affordable, effective way to allow their pets to play safely in their yard with its new Free to Roam Wireless Fence™ system.
Traditional above-ground fences cost thousands of dollars and may not be an option for people living in rental properties. The PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Fence provides a convenient solution for a fraction of the cost of traditional fencing.
The PetSafe Free to Roam Wireless Fence covers a circular area of up to half an acre or 180 feet in diameter. The boundaries can be adjusted from 5-90 feet in all directions of the indoor transmitter. Since the system is completely wireless, there are no unsightly cables to bury – simply plug the transmitter into a standard outlet.
“Our new Free to Roam Wireless Fence system is made with pets and owners in mind,” said Marcus Wolf, category manager for PetSafe Containment and Avoidance products. “A wireless fence gives pet parents peace of mind to let their dogs safely enjoy their yard. It makes it easy and fun for pets and their parents to enjoy fresh air and exercise.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7827751-petsafe-free-to-roam-wireless-fence/
Seqirus announced today that the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) awarded the organization with the 2016 Immunization Excellence Award for best Corporate Campaign. The accolade recognizes Seqirus’ creative and collaborative efforts to improve vaccination awareness and rates during the 2015-16 influenza season. The award was presented yesterday during the NAIIS Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We are pleased to receive this prestigious honor, and thankful to our partners, Families Fighting Flu and several collegiate student organizations, for their dedication to spreading the word about the dangers of flu and encouraging their peers to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Marie Mazur, Vice President of Global Commercial Development and Policy. “Moving forward, Seqirus is committed to building on this season’s success with college students and continuing the important work of flu prevention for all.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7833751-seqirus-national-award-knockoutflu/
For six weeks this spring, the America's PrepareAthon! Campaign and other preparedness partners will focus on different hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This fifth week highlights hurricanes. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking specific steps to prepare for hurricanes.
People who live in hurricane-prone coastal areas should know their vulnerability to wind and flooding, as well as what to do to reduce the effects of both. People who live inland from coastal areas may also experience high winds, power outages, and flooding from torrential rain. Protecting yourself today means having sources for information, preparing your home and workplace, developing an emergency communication plan, and knowing what to do when a hurricane is approaching your community.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/
For six weeks this spring, America’s PrepareAthon! and other preparedness partners will focus on different hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This sixth week highlights extreme heat. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking specific steps to prepare for extreme heat.
America’s PrepareAthon!SM is a grassroots, community-based campaign for action to get families, organizations, and entire communities better prepared for extreme heat and other emergencies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/
