Unprecedented planning by state and local authorities, law enforcement and the insurance industry established what is being called a national model for protecting the public from fly-by-night contractors in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), preparation in advance of the F-5 tornado that devastated the city of Moore and surrounding areas in May 2013 resulted in a well-coordinated effort to ensure that roofers and other contractors who swarmed into the area in the hours and days after the storm were properly licensed, insured and authorized to work in the area.
Local police assisted the Oklahoma Insurance Department Fraud Unit in patrolling the area and keeping suspected fraudulent out-of-state contractors from doing work unless all protocols were followed.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7665251-nicb-limited-fraud-following-2013-moore-tornado/
Clayton, one of America’s leading builders of prefabricated homes, has released a new video featuring the story of a family whose Clayton Built® home survived the devastating Category Four Hurricane Michael.
When the hurricane made landfall Oct.10, Darla and Terry’s Clayton Built® home was along its path. The two moved to Mexico Beach, Fla. from Alabama after retirement to be closer to the beach. They originally planned to build a site built home on their newly purchased property, but after learning more about Clayton and touring the company’s Clayton SE Homes home building facility in Addison, Ala., the couple opted to purchase a Clayton Built® home from Clayton Homes of Panama City instead.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8335052-clayton-built-home-mexico-beach-hurricane-michael/
As the most-visited travel destination in the United States, the Orlando tourism community was quickly up and running post-Hurricane Irma, hosting eager visitors from around the world. Due to a strong tourism infrastructure that hosts an average of 500,000 visitors a day, the region maintains a high level of preparedness for storms and historically resumes operations soon after.
Immediately after the storm, the hospitality industry began quickly clearing debris and returning the destination to normal business operations. Within a matter of days, all of the major theme parks were operational, as were both airports and Orlando’s wide range of attractions, hotels and restaurants.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8180451-visit-orlando-post-irma/
In response to the devastation wrought by Saturday’s earthquake and powerful aftershocks in Nepal, the Ad Council has joined the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Center for International Disaster Information (USAID CIDI) to launch a series of television, print and digital public service advertisements (PSAs) encouraging Americans to make financial contributions to disaster relief efforts. The PSAs direct audiences to visit CIDI.org/NepalRelief, where they can contribute to support the short and long-term recovery operations, providing supplies and services to those affected by the earthquake.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7512851-ad-council-nepal-earthquake-relief/
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the winners of the 2017 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards, recognizing the lifesaving efforts of individuals and organizations from across the country who are working to prepare for emergencies. Each year, FEMA honors individuals and organizations who excel at inspiring the public to be ready if a tornado, hurricane, wildfire, or other disaster were to strike their community.
“We are a stronger, more resilient nation when we work together—in communities large and small—to prepare for and respond to disasters,” said FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator Daniel Kaniewski. “FEMA is proud to recognize the great efforts of individuals and organizations who are helping to create a national culture of preparedness.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8025654-fema-2017-icp-award-winners/
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/
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.”
Flooding is the nation’s costliest and deadliest natural disaster with hurricane flooding topping the list. On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy caused 72 U.S. deaths and $60 billion in damage, including more than $6.7 billion in flood insurance claims. As the most active part of hurricane season begins and the threat of flooding increases, the National Hurricane Center and Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)® offer these five steps to take before floods strike.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62832-national-hurricane-center-and-flash-flood-preparedness-hurricane-season
PrimeSource® has entered into a year-long partnership with Rebuilding Together to provide Grip-Rite® product donations in support of the organization’s disaster recovery efforts for families and communities across the country.
After a disaster has occurred and damages and needs have been assessed, PrimeSource will work to support Rebuilding Together affiliates in affected areas with Grip-Rite tools and building materials, allowing Rebuilding Together to focus their efforts on recovery coordination and skilled volunteer recruitment.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60130-primesource-rebuilding-together-national-disaster-recovery-grip-rite
Thirty five percent of New Yorkers do not feel prepared for an emergency, such as a natural disaster, fire, power outage or act of terrorism according to a 2013 survey conducted by the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM). September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and a new public service advertising (PSA) campaign is launching today to encourage New York families to create an emergency plan. The PSAs were distributed to media outlets throughout the New York City area and will be running in donated time and space.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7314951-oem-fema-and-ad-council-psas-encourage-new-york-city-families-emergency-preparedness-plan/
Beginning today and airing throughout the week, NBC’s TODAY will debut a series of television public service ads, (PSAs) featuring TODAY’s anchors, on behalf of four social issues—fatherhood involvement, hunger prevention, emergency preparedness and shelter pet adoption. The ads were created pro bono by leading advertising agencies throughout the country in partnership with the Ad Council, a non-profit and leading producer of PSA campaigns for over 70 years. TODAY’s anchors personally selected the social issues they are supporting among the Ad Council’s 50 national campaigns, and participated in brainstorming sessions with the ad agencies to help inform the creative.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60173-ad-council-nbc-today-show-anchors-lauer-guthrie-roker-morales-psas
