Talking Preparedness to a Packed House in Chicago

Today's DC earthquake validates the importance of Safe America's current Text First, Talk Second campaign... which gained momentum this morning with a high-level briefing in Chicago.

At today's three-hour discussion, representatives from Illinois and Cook County Homeland Security units - along with Chicago Police, the Mayor's office and City Aldermen - joined civic and business leaders in planning to 'participate' in our third annual drill season this September/October (by staging texting drills). This comes on the heels of briefings in the past 10 days in 5 states: Missouri, Iowa, Alabama, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Collectively, over 600 civic, business and community leaders have agreed to join Safe America's March to 1 Million and take this campaign to all 50 states.

We're encouraged that our message - to use texting as a 'first line' of non-critical communication during or after an emergency - is gaining greater resonance as a result of today's earthquake.  We salute our partners - the Medical Reserve Corps, National Foundation for Women Legislators, NEDRIX, National PTA - for carrying this message to their more than 5 million members. Look for continuing developments next week at our Be Safe America tour briefing in metro Washington DC (8/31).

If you are interested in attending please RSVP This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so we can save a spot for you and/or your colleagues.

Also watch for further emails detailing briefings in Seattle and San Francisco.