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IN THIS EDITION:
While local PIOs may never place a story beyond their hometown papers, one never knows what may happen that can change the scope of a story abruptly. Media directories are a basic tool of PR. Most media directories are expensive, but here's a freebie which you can order. The 2006 MDS media pocket guide gives 700+ major US print and broadcast contacts. http://www.mdsconnect.com/
The PR committee is looking at September (National Preparedness
Month (as if we need it in the height of hurricane season!) as a time to reinforce the interaction of ARES and PR. Specifically we're
looking to encourage ARES leaders to be more aware of the need for PR/media interaction to enhance our emergency communications roles and also for PIOs to get educated about ARES organization, functions and staffing in their areas.
While I expect that this article will appear in both the CONTACT! e-zine for PIOs and the ARES E-letter, this dual approach to the need should benefit both areas of activity.
Emergency email will send alerts, warnings and other critical information for your area to your email or pager. Several people in Connecticut already have been using it (including myself) and it works. You can choose if you want to receive other types of messages or not.
This is a good idea which you can share with the public and segue into discussions on ARES. Take a look at: http://www.emergencyemail.org/Default.asp
A "Tips List" is always a good way to get ink and attention.
Because ARES is a partner with DHS via the Citizen corps program, you can work these into a press release to local papers from your arrl affiliated club and easily tack on your local ham radio club info
Emergency preparedness tips
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has developed this list of 30 "tips" for use in communicating the importance of emergency preparedness to your members, employees or customers. http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0711.xml These tips will provide individuals with practical, actionable information on emergency preparedness and can be used in a variety of communications including newsletters or websites.
"Get Prepared" |
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Get Prepared |
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Title: |
Introduction to "Tip of the Day" feature on website |
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Tip Copy: |
There are a few simple steps you and your family can take to become better prepared for an emergency: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed and Get Involved. This September, during National Preparedness Month, please follow these "Tips of the Day" from the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help you and your family get started today! |
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"Plan" |
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Plan |
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Best way out |
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Tip Copy: |
Take a moment to imagine that there is an emergency, like a fire in your home, and you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down -- you've got the beginning of a plan. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Oh, the places you'll go |
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Tip Copy: |
Pick a place to meet after a disaster. Designate two meeting places. Choose one right outside your home, in case of a sudden household emergency, such as a fire. The second place you choose needs to be outside your neighborhood, in the event that it is not safe to stay near or return to your home. |
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Statistic: |
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2002, 79% of all fatal fires occurred at home, resulting in 2,670 fire deaths. In the U.S., someone dies in a home fire roughly every 197 minutes. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Make a connection |
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Tip Copy: |
Choose an emergency contact person outside your area because it may be easier to call long distance than locally after a local/regional disaster. Take a minute now to call or e-mail an out-of-town friend or family member to ask him or her to be your family's designated contact in the event of an emergency. Be sure to share the contact's phone number with everyone in the family. During an emergency, you can call your contact who can share with other family members where you are; how you are doing; and how to get in contact with you. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Emergency contacts |
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Tip Copy: |
Complete an emergency contact card and make copies for each member of your family to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact on your contact card. It may be easier to reach someone out of town if local phone lines are out of service or overloaded. You should also have at least one traditionally wired landline phone, as cordless or cellular phones may not work in an emergency.
Visit www.redcross.org or www.ready.gov for sample emergency contact cards. |
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Plan |
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Man's best friend |
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Tip Copy: |
Dogs may be man's best friend, but due to health regulations, most emergency shelters cannot house animals. Find out in advance how to care for your pets and working animals when disaster strikes. Pets should not be left behind, but could be taken to a veterinary office, family member's home or animal shelter during an emergency. Also be sure to store extra food and water for pets.
For more information, visit the Animal Safety section on www.redcross.org or visit the Humane Society Web site at www.hsus.org. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Make it a habit |
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Tip Copy: |
Go through your calendar now, and put a reminder on it -- every six months -- to review your plan, update numbers, and check supplies to be sure nothing has expired, spoiled, or changed. Also remember to practice your tornado, fire escape or other disaster plans. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Is school in or out when disaster strikes? |
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Tip Copy: |
Check your child's school Web site or call the school office to request a copy of the school's emergency plan. Keep a copy at home and work or other places where you spend a lot of your time and make sure the school's plan is incorporated into your family's emergency plan. Also, learn about the disaster plans at your workplace or other places where you and your family spend time. |
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Step: |
Plan |
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Title: |
Get emergency help |
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Tip Copy: |
Teach your children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for help. Post these and other emergency telephone numbers by telephones. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Practice makes perfect! |
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Tip Copy: |
Practice. Conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are blocked or gridlocked. Practice earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work. Commit a weekend to update telephone numbers, emergency supplies and review your plan with everyone. |
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Plan |
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Title: |
Work together |
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Tip Copy: |
A community
working together during an emergency makes sense.
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Plan |
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Title: |
What's the plan, boss? |
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Tip Copy: |
What if disaster strikes while you're at work? Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace? While many companies have been more alert and pro-active in preparing for disasters of all types since the September 11, 2001 attacks, a national survey indicates that many employees still don't know what their workplace plan is for major or minor disasters. If you don't know yours, make a point to ask.
Know multiple ways to exit your building, participate in workplace evacuation drills, and consider keeping some emergency supplies at the office. Visit www.ready.gov and click on Ready Business for more information about business preparedness. |
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"Kit" |
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Kit |
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Title: |
Prepare your kit |
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Tip Copy: |
You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation.
The basics to stock in your portable kit include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities. Keep these items in an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack, or a duffle bag. Visit www.ready.gov or www.redcross.org for more information about what to include in your kit. |
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Step: |
Kit |
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Title: |
Food for thought, or think food |
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Tip Copy: |
Preparing for emergencies needn't be expensive if you're thinking ahead and buying small quantities at a time.
Make a list of some foods that:
Keep the list in your purse or wallet and pick up a few items each time you're shopping and/or see a sale until you have built up a well-stocked supply that can sustain each member of your family for at least three days following an emergency. |
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Step: |
Kit |
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Title: |
First Aid |
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Tip Copy: |
Take a minute to check your family's first aid kit, and note any depleted items -- then, add them to your shopping list. Don't have a first aid kit? Add that to the list or build a kit yourself. For more information about first aid kits, visit www.redcross.org. |
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Additional |
Just add the following items to your shopping list and assemble a first aid kit and consider creating a kit for each vehicle as well:
First Aid Kit
Non-Prescription and Prescription Drugs
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Kit |
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Title: |
Water, water anywhere? |
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Tip Copy: |
Keep at
least a three-day supply of water per person. Store a minimum of one gallon of water
per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and sanitation). Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or
glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts
of water each day. Hot environments and strenuous activity can double that
amount. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick will also |
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Step: |
Kit |
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Title: |
What's in YOUR kit? |
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Tip Copy: |
One of the easiest ways you can prepare for emergencies is to keep some supplies readily available. Every kit is unique and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your family, but below is a general list of supplies you may want to consider:
Tools and Supplies
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Kit |
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Title: |
What's in YOUR kit? |
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Tip Copy: |
Also include items for sanitation in your emergency supply kit. Consider the following:
Sanitation
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Step: |
Kit |
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Title: |
What's in YOUR kit? |
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Tip Copy: |
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person in your emergency supply kit. We suggest long pants and long sleeves for additional protection after a disaster.
Clothing
and Bedding
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Kit |
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Title: |
Car Kit |
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Tip Copy: |
You should also keep a smaller version of your emergency supply kit in your vehicle, in case you are commuting or traveling when disaster strikes.
Emergency Kit For Your Vehicle
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"Training" |
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Training |
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Title: |
Know your home |
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Tip Copy: |
Get Trained at Home
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Additional |
In the event of a disaster, emergency medical response may be delayed because of the remoteness of your home or by adverse conditions, such as roads blocked by floodwater or debris. While precious minutes slip by, your emergency training could mean the difference between life and death. Properly administered first aid or CPR can help stabilize an injured or ailing family member until help arrives. Make sure at least one family member is trained in first aid and CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator. It could save a life. For more information on CPR/AED training, contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit www.redcross.org. |
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"Disaster/Be Informed" |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Title: |
Surf the Net |
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Tip Copy: |
Read the information on your city, county and/or state government Web sites as well as the "Be Prepared" section of www.redcross.org or www.ready.gov and print emergency preparedness information. Be sure to keep a copy with your disaster supplies kit. It can provide telephone numbers, addresses and other information you need when electronic connections are not available options for obtaining the information. |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Title: |
Treat contaminated water |
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Tip Copy: |
Know How
to Treat Contaminated Water
Use one or a combination of these treatments:
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Know how to turn off utilities | |
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Tip Copy: |
Learn
how and when to turn off utilities
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Title: |
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Tip Copy: |
Understand that during an emergency you may be asked to "shelter-in-place" or evacuate. Plan for both possibilities and be prepared to listen to instructions from your local emergency management officials.
Visit www.ready.gov and www.redcross.org |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Title: |
Recovering Financially |
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Tip Copy: |
Recovering
Financially
A disaster can cause significant financial loss. Your apartment or home may be severely damaged or destroyed. You may be forced to live in temporary housing. Income may be cut off or significantly reduced. Important financial records could be destroyed. Take the time now to assess your situation and ask questions.
To help you, consider using the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), a tool developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps or contact your local Red Cross chapter for Disasters and Financial Planning: A Guide for Preparedness. This guide is also available at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/FinPlan/ |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Title: |
Shake, rattle and roll
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Tip Copy: |
Shake, rattle and roll Learn if earthquakes are a risk in your area by contacting your local emergency management office, local American Red Cross chapter, or state geological survey or department of natural resources. Information about earthquake risk is also available from the Web site of the U.S. Geological Survey National Seismic Hazards project at: http://eqhazmaps.usgs.gov. |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Floods -- even shallow water can be deadly
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Tip Copy: |
Floods -- even shallow water can be deadly Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss. As much as 90 percent of the damage related to all natural disasters (excluding draught) is caused by floods and associated debris flow. Most communities in the United States can experience some kind of flooding. Melting snow can combine with rain in the winter and early spring; severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rain in the spring or summer; or hurricanes can bring intense rainfall to coastal and inland states in the summer and fall.
Regardless of how a flood occurs, the rule for being safe is simple: head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater. Even a shallow depth of fast-moving floodwater produces more force than most people imagine. You can protect yourself by being prepared and having time to act. Local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio are the best sources of information in a flood situation. |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Chemical Hazards |
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Tip Copy: |
Chemical or Airborne Hazards When there is concern about a potential exposure to a chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials may advise you to "shelter-in-place " and "seal the room." This is different from taking shelter on the lowest level of your home in case of a natural disaster like a tornado. If you believe the air may be badly contaminated or if you are instructed by local officials, follow the instructions below to create a temporary barrier between you and the contaminated air outside.
To shelter-in-place and seal-the-room:
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Additional |
See Red Cross shelter-in-place fact sheet on www.redcross.org or visit www.ready.gov. |
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Disaster/Be Informed |
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Title: |
Explosions and Fire |
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Tip Copy: |
If There is an Explosion
If There is a Fire
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Disaster/ Be Informed |
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Title: |
Bioterrorism |
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Tip Copy: |
Unlike an explosion, a biological attack may or may not be immediately obvious. Most likely local health care workers will report a pattern of unusual illness or a wave of sick people seeking medical attention. The best source of information will be radio or television reports
Understand that some biological agents,
such as anthrax, do not cause contagious diseases. Others, like the smallpox
virus, can result in diseases you can catch from other people.
During a declared biological emergency:
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 Photo used with permission from The Weather Channel |
Les Rayburn, N1LF, reports that he has been involved with the production of a program airing on The Weather Channel starting on Sunday, August 27th at 8PM ET/PT. It airs again on Monday night, and then several times in the following weeks. According to Les, he's proud to tell his story of how the US Postal Service worked to restore mail to the Katrina affected area, and also to aid in the recovery using an amateur HF station.
You may remember that Mike
Leonard, KA1IOD, was able to get The Weather Channel to do a bit on Field Day.
Many weathermen (Weatherpeople? What do you call a lady meteorologist who
appears on TV?), are hams and often a good way to get a foot inside a local TV
station.
August
5-6 ARRL UHF Contest
5-6 North American QSO Party - CW
19-20 ARRL 10 GHz and up contest
19-20 North American QSO Party - phone
September
1 National Preparedness Month begins
9-11 ARRL September VHF QSO Party
10 North American CW sprint
16 Amateur Radio Public Awareness Day
16-17 ARRL 10 GHz and up contest
17 North American Phone Sprint
23-24 ARRL VEC Amateur Exam Day
23-24CQ WW RTTY Contest
October
7-8 ARRL Simulated Emergency Test
Got an OES in your town?
If you have an Official Emergency Station in town, then you have a great story! Just fill in the blanks, print it out and take it to your local paper.
For immediate release
Hidden Angels Among Us
By _______(you)
Drive down _______________ Street and you would never know this quiet neighborhood held a secret. It is not all that remarkable -- that is, until a crisis happens. Then ____(address)________ turns into base camp for a host of angels. ____(name)_______, who lives there, is an Amateur Radio (often called Ham Radio) operator designated by the national ham radio organization as an Official Emergency Station. In a crisis, ____( last name)_______ takes on a whole new identity as ____(call)____ and provides emergency communications and relays messages for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. These were the people who came to the rescue in Katrina, the Asian Tsunami and so many other world crises. Like angels, they were messengers with important, life-changing information to share.
Because they can work with nothing more than batteries or home generators, and do not need cell phones, internet connections or other vulnerable networks to maintain worldwide communications, hams are often the only way to pass emergency messages in the early hours of a major disaster. They indeed are the hidden angels in our neighborhoods.
As Allen Pitts, Media Manager for the ARRL, says, "Our job is to make the first responders look like heroes. We are not first responders, but we let them know what is really happening."
It was from these radio Hams that the first reports of levee breaks in new Orleans were passed. Hams also first reported the Asian Tsunami that killed thousands. Hams were active on 9-11 as so many other systems fell silent when other communications antennas on top of the World Trade Centers fell.
These "hidden angels" also serve the National Weather Service and are the source of many of the ground level storm reporting that goes into the weather reports you see on TV.
Locally, the ham radio operators of ____(town)______ provide backup support to _______, _______, The American Red Cross and ________. While they rarely make the headlines themselves, when trouble strikes, these secret angels go into action and make sure that the messages get through.
"When something really bad happens, you have a crisis," says __(name)___ of ______. "But if you lose communications, a crisis quickly becomes a Major Disaster!"
There are ___number*_____ licensed Amateur Radio operators in ___(town)____. Many of them meet at ________(local club info)_______, but one could be in your neighborhood too. They are ___(town's)___'s hidden angels.
[* you can get local license summaries at: http://www.arrl.org/fcc/fcclook.php3?call=&x=13&y=7 ]
Good email pitches immediately get the imagination of journalists.
But the majority only get the delete key.
Even if your press release has something really news-worthy, it competes with financial offers from Nigeria, Viagra and an incredible amount of spam.
Put yourself in an editor's position for a moment. You get hundreds, maybe a thousand, emails a day to scan. How will you cope? First, you set your email spam filter to take out just about anything that even MIGHT be spam. Then you block scores of key words. Finally, you look for something specific and unique in the subject lines. If it is not personalized, it probably gets deleted.
You might think your subject line is cute, but "cute" does not cut it. You need a name, a specific town or a key topic word to even get a look. Editors WANT news. But they also want it served on a platter... their platter. With all the junk being served up, it's understandable and the subject line of an email is the key that makes the difference.
If you missed it live or on the internet, there was a really GREAT radio interview done recently in Charlotte, NC by WFAE. You can hear it at http://66.225.205.104/CT20060719.mp3
It's a perfect blend of history and modern Amateur Radio. Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins, on 90.7fm, WFAE in Charlotte, NC. More info at www.wfae.org
Huh?? You must be kidding!
Not really. In an interview, or even in informal conversation with a reporter, you are talking THROUGH the reporter to an audience. In the end, it doesn't matter if the reporter knows what you are talking about -- what matters is their AUDIENCE. If the audience doesn't "get it," then the interview is a failure. This is why it is important to keep that audience in mind you when you share information.
