Santa Monica Red Cross, City ofSanta Monica launch  

“I've Got 7” emergency preparedness campaign

May is Emergency Preparedness Month. The American Red Cross of Santa Monica and The City of Santa Monica are launching a month-long campaign advising Santa Monicans to "be prepared" for emergencies and disasters starting May 2.

The whole purpose of the campaign is to prepare for the unthinkable. "One of the lessons Hurricane Katrina taught us was that having three days of emergency supplies wasn't enough. Seven days worth of supplies is now being recommended, therefore the "I've Got 7" theme," says John Pacheco, executive director of the Santa Monica Red Cross.   

The campaign will consist of  flyers to be distributed at key retail stores, supermarkets and other sites throughout the city and an www.ivegot7.com website with information about disasters and how to be prepared when they strike. The flyers, along with newspaper ads, literature and printable online web pages, will feature the "I've got 7" checklist for preparing for emergencies.  

Many local businesses have offered tickets, prizes, discount coupons and other incentives to encourage the public to be aware and prepared by pledging to follow the seven steps for preparedness which are:

1. Have a week's supply of nonperishable food and water on hand.

2. Keep a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries available.

3. Keep a fully stocked First Aid Kit.

4. Have cash on hand. ATM machines and credit cards are useless without power.

5. Sturdy clothing -- especially long pants, long sleeve shirts, hard-soled shoes and gloves -- are good to have in an emergency.

6. Make sure you have special needs such as medicine, eyeglasses, sanitary supplies, matches, passports (I.D.) and pet supplies available.

7. Contact information for someone out of the area who can relay messages to family and friends if local communications are down.

On all collateral materials, an "I've Got 7" pledge card will be included. It can be filled out, signed and clipped by anybody who pledges to be prepared for emergencies. The pledge cards can be returned to the Santa Monica Red Cross where they will be entered into a drawing for prizes and gifts which will be held on June 2, 2006.

Schools and city employees will participate, too.

A special school campaign will target 7th grade classrooms to bring the "be disaster ready" message to students, parents and families. Literature explaining the seven steps necessary to be prepared for an emergency will be distributed in the classroom. Students will pledge to be prepared, clip the pledge card and turn it in for drawings for prizes and classroom pizza parties.

The campaign will also involve all City employees who will make pledges and be eligible for drawings and prizes, too.

"The event will be held throughout the month of May," says Paul Weinberg, the City of Santa Monica’s Director of Emergency Services. "This will give everyone a chance to see and accomplish what must be done to keep their families safe and in relative comfort if a serious disaster were to occur."

For complete "I've Got 7 information--  including the I've Got 7 checklist, detailed tips about what you need to be disaster ready, safety hints, a shopping list of necessary supplies, skills you should have such as a knowledge of first aid and CPR and the "I've Got 7" pledge card -- log on to www.ivegot7.com

The American Red Cross of Santa Monica is a publicly supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides health and safety education, youth services, CPR and first aid training, disaster awareness and disaster relief efforts.  For additional information or to inquire about other programs or assistance call 310-394-3773 or go online at www.redcrossofsantamonica.org.