FEMA Mobile App Gets Updated
The FEMA mobile application has been updated! The latest version now features weather-related alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS). Users can sign up to receive these alerts for up to five locations across the U.S.
In addition to getting alerts from NWS, you can also:
- Get tips on how to stay safe before, during, and after more than 20 types of hazards;
- Locate open shelters and Disaster Recovery Centers;
- Apply for federal disaster assistance; and
- Upload photos of damage and recovery efforts.
Want to take your preparedness to a new level? Download the FEMA mobile application to your smartphone today! The app is available for Android, Apple, and Blackberry devices. The Spanish version of the app is available for download to Android and Apple devices.
Downloading the FEMA mobile application is one of the ten ways to participate in America's PrepareAthon!, so be sure to register this action on the campaign website.
The FEMA mobile application is designed to help you better prepare for disasters. Take a look at this exciting new video to learn more about the app and how it can help your family “weather the storm.”
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Campus Fire Safety
With many students returning to their universities from spring break, educating them on campus fire safety and how to stay safe is important. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), U. S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,800 structure fires in college dormitories and Greek housing in recent years. The National Fire Protection Association indicates these fires cause an annual average of two civilian deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries, and $9.4 million in property damage.
Encourage students to learn their fire risks and prevention actions that can save their lives. The USFA offers several tips, including:
- Use safe flameless candles;
- Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn;
- Only use surge protectors or power strips that have internal overload protection; and
- If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.
For more information about campus fire safety, watch this USFA public service announcement .
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Mid-America Teen CERT Plans National PrepareAthon! Day Event
Since America's PrepareAthon! first began in 2013, Mid-America Teen CERT (MATC) has regularly organized activities or events to promote preparedness as part of the campaign. This month for America's PrepareAthon!, MATC will be providing Community Emergency Response Team training to a large class of high and middle school students that will include a full-scale earthquake disaster simulation. In September, they plan to work with the Greater St. Louis Area Council Boy Scouts of America (BSA) again to plan an even bigger exercise for up to 5,000 scouts and members of the public from throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.
These activities build on the success of a large-scale fire suppression training last year, which was organized by Emily Rosenblum, an MATC member and the chair of the FEMA Youth Preparedness Council . Working together with the Greater St. Louis Area Council BSA, MATC planned an event at the Beaumont Scout Reservation in High Ridge, MO:
- More than 1,300 scouts, adult leaders, parents and observers participated in sessions throughout the day that focused on fire safety and the proper use of fire extinguishers;
- MATC volunteers taught participants about the variety of dangers posed by fires, donned protective gear (goggles, helmet, gloves, and vest), and demonstrated proper fire extinguisher technique using the PASS (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep) method;
- After the demonstration, volunteers invited participants to try on the protective gear and practice the PASS method themselves with the fire extinguishers MATC brought with them; and
- MATC received excellent feedback on the event and the Greater St. Louis Area Council BSA invited them to provide similar training in the future.
Mid America Teen CERT program manager Mark Rosenblum says that thanks to their previous successes and word of mouth, increasing numbers of groups are requesting assistance and training from MATC.
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Dates for Your Calendar!
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