Disaster Readiness Tips Aimed at Santa Barbara County Residents

The 24 public service announcements are the product of a partnership among Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management and the cities of Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Buellton, Solvang, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara. The PSA’s, produced by Santa Barbara City TV, will cover a range of disaster topics including, but not limited to wildfire, tsunami, and earthquake preparedness, family and neighborhood disaster plans, pet preparedness and disaster kits.

Two different spots, one in English and one in Spanish, will be released throughout the county each month on both television and radio starting in September 2011 and continuing through August, 2012. The subject matter of each PSA will correspond with a schedule of awareness months and seasons during which there is a higher risk of certain disasters in Santa Barbara County.

These PSA’s are part of larger efforts to prepare Santa Barbara County residents. The website, www.AwareandPrepare.org, will host the PSA’s as well as provide links and information to supplement the content of the spots.

Media outlets that have expressed interest in airing the PSA campaign to date are: County of Santa Barbara Government Access Television, City of Santa Barbara Government Access Television, City of Goleta Government Access Television, City of Carpinteria Government Access Television, Lompoc TAP TV, Santa Maria Community Television, UCSB, KEYT, KCOY, KSBY, KKFX, KMPR Univision, Cox Communications, San Marcos Pass Emergency Radio System 1040 AM, Montecito Fire Radio 1690 AM, KCSB-FM, KIST-FM, KSPE-FM, KZSB 1290 AM, and Metropolitan Theatres. To have your media outlet join in this community effort contact Tony Ruggieri at (805) 564-5311.

For information about the Aware and Prepare Initiative, contact Michael Harris, Santa Barbara County Emergency Operations Chief at (805) 681-5526.