Attorney General & Cabinet to Recognize Federal Alliance for Safe Homes - FLASH® for Ten Years of Disaster Safety Programs

TALLAHASSEE (August 27, 2007) - Attorney General Bill McCollum, Governor Charlie Crist, and the Florida Cabinet will recognize the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. - FLASH® on Tuesday, Aug. 28, for its commitment to helping Florida's citizens prepare for and protect against disasters such as hurricanes.  Attorney General McCollum will offer a resolution declaring the week of Aug. 27 as the Tenth Annual Federal Alliance for Safe Homes Week to raise public awareness of the free disaster safety information and referral services the organization offers.  The adoption of the resolution will take place at 9 a.m. in the Florida Cabinet Meeting Room at the Capitol.

As part of the celebration, FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson will announce the addition of two nationally acclaimed scientists to the organization's Leadership Partner roster:  Former National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield, and Ernst "Ernie" Kiesling, Ph.D., creator of the tornado safe room, Executive Director of the National Storm Shelter Association, and Professor of Civil Engineering at Texas Tech University.

"I believe fully in FLASH's mission of promoting disaster-resistant homes," said Mayfield. "Stronger homes not only help save lives, they reduce the costs we all pay in the wake of disasters such as hurricanes."

"What an honor to be recognized by an organization with the credibility and prestige of FLASH," Kiesling said.  "I am very grateful."

"These two distinguished gentlemen have dedicated their lives to making the world a safer place," said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "We are grateful for the support they have given us over the years and honored to recognize them as official Leadership Partners."

FLASH was founded as a public awareness campaign in 1998 to educate citizens about disaster safety and promote safer, better-built homes in pos-Hurricane Andrew Florida. Today FLASH is an award-winning, nationally focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose programs include contractor trainings on disaster-resistant building and retrofitting techniques, online disaster mitigation resources at www.flash.org, and a toll-free helpline at 877-221-SAFE

Most recently, FLASH launched a new online Do-It-Yourself Wind Inspection tool that allows homeowners to determine their homes' resistance to windstorms such as hurricanes.  Located in the FLASH Programs window at the bottom of the www.flash.org homepage, the tool walks homeowners through a wind inspection and provides a printed report of findings.  The inspection is also available in the latest version of FLASH's quarterly publication, Blueprint for Safety News.

FLASH has become a trusted resource for many state and national news organizations. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, ABC's Good Morning America, The Weather Channel, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald, and The Associated Press have all featured FLASH programs.

FLASH has been recognized with state and national awards since its inception including the 2006 Governor's Hurricane Conference Excellence in Public Education/Public Information Award; 2005 National Hurricane Conference award for Outstanding Achievement in Public Awareness; 2005 U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA Environmental Hero Award; and the 2005 National Weather Association Walter J. Bennett Public Service Award.

To learn more about FLASH and access FLASH's free resources and referrals please visit www.flash.org or call toll-free (877) 221-SAFE.

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