The March to 1 Million program – an extension of the successful 9/11 Drill Down for Safety program – will focus over the next 8 months on mobilizing one million citizens in emergency readiness exercises in 2011. The campaign’s overall goal is to make sure that both individuals and businesses know what to do in the event of an emergency. Last year, nearly 800,000 people participated in Safe America’s ‘Drill Down for Safety’ campaign during National Preparedness Month.
The 2011 ‘March to 1 Million’ program was unveiled at USA TODAY headquarters in McLean, Virginia recently. It seemed almost like a ‘real’ weather disaster on the outside. But, it was bright and cheery within the USA TODAY headquarters. Our diverse audience, Safe America volunteer leaders from across-the-country, including leaders from academia, corporate, public and non-profit sectors spent a full day hearing about 2011 plans that included:
- A coast-to-coast ‘First Spouses Campaign’, with former First Lady of West Virginia Gayle C. Manchin chairing the effort
- A program with DRI International and the University of Missouri to provide ongoing training to corporate, civic and non-profit partners (via webinars and conferences), plus
- Plans for occasional tabletop simulations by Pacific Rim expert Harold Wolpert of Australian-based firm, Avalias
Another major announcement was plans to co-develop with the Caerus Institute new smart phone safety applications (apps, for short). Caerus Institute’s CEO Gary Grube – who also serves as Safe America’s Board Chairman – unveiled the alpha-test app, which is being produced by the Chicago-based Institute in collaboration with Safe America’s Atlanta-based staff.
Honorary Chairman Norman Y. Mineta, meanwhile, told the audience that even 10 years after 9/11, it’s still critical that America be ‘prepared’ for an emergency. And USA TODAY Publisher David Hunke noted that he was pleased to be a part of the program – and thanked Safe America for its efforts at preparing the country for future emergencies.
A new idea, added to the March to 1 Million program, is a ‘9/11 Remembrance Tour’. With stops in 12-14 cities this summer, it will feature an 8-foot structural beam from the World Trade Center, as well as other ‘pieces’:
- Family Safety during an emergency.
- What supplies to have ‘on hand’.
- What have we learned since 9/11?
- What You Should Know About Community Alerts
- Planning your ‘escape’ when horrible weather is approaching
- ‘A Sporting Chance at Safety’: Stadium Safety and Notification
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