A recent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) survey found that nearly 60 percent of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster by participating in a disaster drill or preparedness exercise at work, school, or home in the past year. Further, only 39 percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their household. This is despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans live in counties that have been hit with a weather-related disaster since 2007, as reported by the Washington Post. With the number and severity of weather-related disasters on the rise, the America’s PrepareAthon! is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to take action to prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills, and exercises.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7500251-fema-national-prepareathon/
On January 13, 2019, the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund (“Relief Fund”) directly handed out $1,000 Payoneer® prepaid cards to approximately 4,000 families in Puerto Rico who are still recovering after Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island.
More than 200 volunteers from Cantor Fitzgerald and its affiliate companies BGC Partners and Newmark Knight Frank, along with New York community volunteers and clients from Banco Santander and Scotiabank, distributed $4 million at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Relief Fund worked directly with the office of Carmen Yulin Cruz, San Juan Mayor, to organize the effort and identify the families in need.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8467851-cantor-fitzgerald-puerto-rico-relief-fund/
Did you use the plywood from your hurricane shutters to build a tree house or use your garage door brace to hold up the bird feeder? If so there’s a good chance your home may not be hurricane ready.
Being properly prepared is paramount during hurricane season. To learn more about how to protect yourself and your property, visit State Farm Learning Center. It can make a big difference to your safety, security and survival. Is your property hurricane ready?
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/65822-state-farm-severe-weather-disaster-preparedness/
In just five hours overnight on October 18, Times Square was transformed from a concrete jungle into a woodland paradise by LightStream, the national online lending division of SunTrust Bank. Nearly 200 live trees, shrubs and plants -- oak, maple, and purple plum trees, as well as rhododendron, mountain laurels and more – provided a magical setting for thousands of visitors to enjoy and have their photo taken and shared on a Times Square billboard. The Forest of Dreams event kicked off LightStream’s effort to plant 10,000 trees in October, one for each person who participated in Times Square or who signs up at LightStreamForests.com before November 1.
The Forest of Dreams will benefit wilderness areas and green spaces across the U.S., including areas decimated by wildfires and hurricanes in Houston, Miami and California.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7740051-lightstream-forest-of-dreams/
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/
Looking to build a new home that would gracefully transition into a full-time, eco-friendly residence, Warren and Sally Baker turned to Blu® Homes, Inc. (“Blu”), the leading builder of precision-engineered, green prefab homes. The Bakers will build a one-story, green home with Blu Homes that is strong enough to weather storms and hurricanes that are common to coastal regions. The Baker home will be Blu Homes’ first project built on Shelter Island.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64404-blu-homes-to-build-first-home-on-shelter-island
Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath products and power systems, has developed a portable showering experience to assist volunteers following hurricanes and other disasters. The new 42-foot KOHLER Relief trailer, which is powered by a KOHLER mobile generator, has been deployed for the first time by Operation Blessing International (OBI) to New Bern, North Carolina, a community with severe flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. OBl is a global nonprofit humanitarian organization providing aid in 39 countries through disaster relief, health and medical care, hunger relief, and access to safe water.
“We’re pleased to work with Kohler to bring the Relief Trailer to our many dedicated volunteers who are in North Carolina helping those in need following the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence,” said Ronda Sherman, vice president of philanthropy for Operation Blessing International. “Our volunteers are often deployed for weeks or months at a time following these massive storms and having the opportunity to shower onsite will significantly enhance our team’s efforts throughout the cleanup and recovery process.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the “Big Four” of 2004, when, for the first time in recorded history, four hurricanes struck the Florida coast in one year. Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne caused an estimated $45 billion in damage, the costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricane season on record at that time.
Flooding is the Nation’s costliest and deadliest natural disaster, affecting every state in the United States. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), storm surge poses the greatest threat to life and property along U.S. coasts.
Dr. Rick Knabb, director of the NHC, stated, “Hurricanes and flooding can pose serious risks to your family and property. By making a plan and taking preventive actions, you can get ahead of the storm and protect what matters to you.”
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7249151-national-hurricane-center-flash-flood-preparedness-2014-hurricane-season/
All natural disasters, including the recent hurricanes, are a reminder how swiftly emergencies and disasters can happen. To address the fact that less than 50 percent of households have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their families, FEMA and the Ad Council are working to inform and encourage all Americans to plan ahead for disasters. FEMA and the Ad Council are announcing the release of new public service announcements (PSAs) as part of the Ready Campaign to conclude National Preparedness Month. The PSAs, “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” encourage families to take time to talk about their emergency plans – what to do, where to go for an evacuation or shelter-in-place, and how to get in contact in the event that you are separated in a disaster or emergency.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility. It’s important to be aware of your local hazards,” said FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator for Protection and National Preparedness Katie Fox. “The first step to preparing for a disaster doesn’t cost anything – talk to your family and make a plan for evacuation, shelter and communication. Discuss what you will need. You can also take training or a CPR course to help yourself and others.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8170051-ad-council-fema-ready-gov-national-preparedness-month-disaster-plan/
