Florida Launches Domestic Security Public Awareness Campaign   2/6/06

Governor Jeb Bush today joined Leslie Chapman-Henderson, CEO and President of the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH) at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee to unveil "Informed, Prepared, Protected," a new statewide, multimedia public awareness campaign. The research-based campaign is designed to further a "culture of preparedness" by reaching Floridians with information they can use to better protect themselves and their families in the event of a terrorist incident.  "Our all-hazard approach to emergency planning ensures Florida is prepared to respond to all potential threats, from natural events to man-made," said Governor Bush. "As we work to instill a "culture of preparedness" within our state, it is imperative that all Floridians have a plan in place to protect their families and their homes." The Informed, Prepared, Protected campaign is a joint effort of the Department of Community Affairs' Division of Emergency Management, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health and the Regional Domestic Security Task Force.  The multimedia Informed, Prepared, Protected campaign's design is based on research that included focus groups and a telephone survey of 400 Floridians. The research found that most people feel there is nothing they can do to prepare for a terrorist attack. But once they learn the steps they can take, they are more likely to create their own disaster plan. 

Those steps include:  Having a disaster supply kit on hand year round. The kit should include food and water for seven days, and medical supplies. Deciding ahead of time where family members will meet should they be separated when disaster strikes.  Choosing a single, out-of-state point of contact for family and friends in case communications systems are disrupted. 

The Informed, Prepared, Protected campaign's outreach components include: A website at www.MySafeFlorida.org;  Television public service announcements in English and Spanish;  Radio public service announcements in English, Spanish and Creole; Outdoor advertising including billboards, shopping mall boards, and bus shelter boards; and  Printed brochures in English and Spanish.  As part of the campaign, Florida's seven Domestic Security regions have developed operational tool-kits for public affairs and will be hosting similar news events on Feb. 6. 

Florida's statewide domestic security strategy is organized around five key goals and objectives:  Prevent, preempt and deter acts of terrorism;  Prepare for terrorism response missions;  Protect Florida's citizens, visitors and critical infrastructure;  Respond in an immediate, effective and coordinated manner; and  Recover quickly and restore.  Earlier today, Governor Bush, Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, Florida's Cabinet officers, agency heads and law enforcement officials conducted the fourth annual emergency management "tabletop" training exercise. The exercise included a simulated disaster scenario. "This morning's training exercise is an important tool for preparing state and regional officials for potential disasters, said Chapman-Henderson. "Likewise, the Informed, Prepared, Protected campaign will help citizens do their part to ensure the best possible outcome for themselves and their communities should disaster strike."