Since the media is generally the most effective vehicle for communicating the destructive nature of disasters to the broadest audience, I think the media can impact the greatest number of people on how to prepare for disasters, as well. By simply sitting in their living room recliner, a person can learn the importance and responsibility of preparing themselves and their families for the unexpected, and be given instructions each week or month on a different measure of preparation to take, just by watching the news!

    Many local news stations sponsor monthly breast exam reminders, annual coat and food drives, and other good-will activities that get the community involved. What if there was a National Disaster Preparedness Media Campaign produced by FEMA but subscribed to by local news channels (at minimal or no cost to them), that would provide each media subscriber with a monthly preparedness topic, video segment, and even resources to coordinate and hold local events? If every network news team participated in this type of marketing campaign, imagine the number of people who could be educated in the responsibility of personal preparedness.  

    FEMA-sponsored preparedness fairs, which correspond to the media campaign, could be taken on the road nation-wide to communities whose media is participating in the campaign. Viewers familiar with elements of the campaign will look forward to seeing first-hand the things they’ve been learning on TV.

    Additionally, when news stations are looking for news to fill dead time, why not have a series of mini-segments available for use as fillers on an as-needed basis?

Whether a station chooses to subscribe to a monthly campaign or utilize mini-segments to fill time gaps, the number of households that can be enlightened and taught the basic skills of preparedness and survival is monumental.

    BB - Boulder, CO