Press Release

Noted Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness Expert Joins Safe America Foundation

Brit Weber, Michigan State University  School of Criminal Justice Program Director joining Safe America Foundation to support national 9/11 Drill Down for Safety campaign

Atlanta, May, 05, 2010 – Safe America Foundation President and CEO, Len Pagano announced today the hiring of noted Michigan State University safety expert Brit Weber.  Looking to build on the success of the inaugural 2009 9/11 Drill Down for Safety campaign, Mr. Weber has joined Safe America as its Executive Vice President for Homeland Security and Preparedness Programs.

“Brit’s expertise from helping communities collaborate on preparedness will bring tremendous insight and a unique perspective to Safe America,” noted Pagano. “Brit brings exceptional insight into bringing together businesses and NGOs to partner with their respective federal, state, and local governments for joint preparedness. This will greatly enhance Safe America’s ability to improve resiliency at the grassroots level.”

During the past five years at Michigan State University, Weber directed a Federally-funded, program focused on fostering public/private partnerships for joint crisis management.  His background includes service with the Michigan State Police, United Nation’s Law Enforcement in Kosovo (formerly Yugoslavia), and Safety and Human Resources for the R.W. Mercer Company.

“For a first-year program, Safe America did an incredible job of mobilizing everyday Americans in rehearsing what they would do in any disaster,” noted Weber.  “I believe that we can more than double the 400,000 Americans in families, businesses, government, and NGOs involved last year – and through the process of  drills, exercises, text emergency alerts, make a true improvement in the number of Americans ready to be their own ‘first responder’ in an emergency”

Weber will be introduced in his new role at a ‘Drill Down’ preview meeting June 24 at the suburban Washington, D.C. headquarters of USA TODAY.  Public or private sector organizations wishing to learn more about or get involved in the 9/11 Drill Down for Safety please go to safeamericaprepared.org

About Safe America Foundation

The Safe America Foundation is a Marietta, Georgia based 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to addressing emerging health and safety issues – at home, work and play.  Founded in 1994, the foundation develops educational programs in partnership with the academic, corporate, public and nonprofit sectors.  For more information, visit www.safeamerica.org or call 770-973-7233.  Safe America can also be found on Twitter @safeamerica.  

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