KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Volunteer To Be a Prepared Citizen This April

Volunteer To Be a Prepared Citizen This April

RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2011 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ADEM Public Information, (501) 683-6700

– As April marks National Volunteer Month, the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is encouraging Arkansans to be prepared and learn how they can make a difference should a catastrophic earthquake happen here.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state's homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies. For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the web site at www.adem.arkansas.gov

. Volunteer To Be a Prepared Citizen This April

North Little Rock, Ark.

¨DAs we mark the 200th anniversary of the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) earthquakes, we look to our citizens to get engaged in preparing their communities for disasters,¡¬ said David Maxwell, ADEM Director. ¨DEveryone has a role in catastrophic response. Whether they're volunteering with a local recovery group or making proper contributions to relief efforts, it all makes a critical difference.¡¬

There are a number of ways individuals can help in the event of a disaster, like an earthquake, and these citizens should take steps now to ensure they are ready. To help Arkansas citizens be prepared volunteers, ADEM is offering tips about how best to contribute in the event of an earthquake at http://www.adem.arkansas.gov/ADEM/Divisions/Preparedness/Earthquake/index.aspx.

¨DWe hope this information will help our state develop a volunteer force that is trained and ready to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an earthquake,¡¬ Maxwell continued.

Preparing volunteers is a key part of the state's earthquake preparedness efforts in this bicentennial of the NMSZ earthquakes. Also this month on April 28, Arkansas is participating in the Great Central ShakeOut – an earthquake drill that will occur across the NMSZ. Next month, ADEM—along with federal, state, tribal and local government agencies, businesses and other members of the private sector, as well as the general public—will participate in the National Level Exercise 2011. This event, a White House-driven, congressionally mandated exercise that will simulate the catastrophic nature of a major earthquake in the NMSZ, will take place May 16–20