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$100k For Hurricane Education


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Hurricanes, floods, terrorism: Are you ready?

New funding helps individuals to 'Think. Act. Survive'

to help themselves, their families, their neighbors

HOUSTON, July 11, 2006 - Neighbors helping neighbors provides a critical first response when disaster strikes, as Houstonians saw first-hand in last month's flooding. Now more Harris County residents will be trained to better protect themselves, their families and their communities through the Harris County Citizen Corps. The expanded program will be funded by a second grant from The Allstate Foundation.

The Allstate Foundation has awarded the Harris County Citizen Corps $100,000 to further its mission of training citizens how to prepare for and respond to disasters, including hurricanes, flooding, industrial accidents or terrorist acts. The grant also involves an ongoing partnership with the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management to encourage residents to "Think.Act.Survive" through a multi-media disaster preparedness public awareness campaign.

The Allstate Foundation initiated the partnership last year, understanding that it takes a coordinated effort by government, business and individuals working together to effectively prepare for, respond to and recover from catastrophes. The program is intended to encourage personal responsibility and volunteer service in Harris County and serves as a national best practice in promoting "all-hazards disaster preparedness" through training and public awareness.

"As we witnessed last year with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and again with the recent flooding, disaster can touch any of us and it takes a community working together to minimize damage and help rebuild

lives," said Rich Crist, Allstate's Texas field vice president. "We are proud to be part of a program that helps individuals help themselves and their neighbors. Both the community training and Think.Act.Survive awareness programs more than exceeded the goals we set last year, and Allstate is pleased to contribute additional funding to build on such a successful and vital effort."

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and The Allstate Foundation, is an educational program that trains neighborhood volunteers to effectively prepare for and respond to disasters. Currently, there are 92 CERT teams in Harris County with 2,358 trained members - growth of more than 28 percent in number of teams and more than double the number of individuals trained in less than a year. In addition, The Allstate Foundation's 2005 grant helped fund 12 Teen CERT programs training 822 students, with an additional 400 high school students slated to receive training by year end. In partnership with the Harris Country Department of Education, the Teen CERT program also includes preparedness education for middle school students in districts across the region, including presentations, brochures and "Think.Act.Survive" refrigerator magnets.

With this second $100,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation, Harris County expects to again double the number of CERT teams and Harris Country residents ready to respond to disasters. The grant also will fund additional public outreach messages, including a radio campaign set to kickoff in August, to motivate individuals to learn more about disaster preparedness.

"In addition to CERT training, The Allstate Foundation grant also will help us educate more residents about the importance of emergency planning and the best ways to protect your family," said Harris County Judge Robert Eckels. "Sometimes the most valuable lessons are those hardest learned, and last year's hurricanes truly underscored how critical preparedness is in a disaster - literally a matter of life or death. In those chaotic hours and days after a disaster strikes, residents need to know how to help themselves and their neighbors until first responders can reach them."

The public awareness campaign, involving television, radio and billboard advertisements, is designed to show residents how to take responsibility for their own safety, encouraging the community to "think" and "act" before a disaster strikes by visiting http://www.survivedisaster.org or calling 211 for preparedness information.

For more information about emergency preparedness or to schedule CERT training, please visit www.survivedisaster.org or call 211.

About the Harris County Citizens Corp

The Harris County Citizen Corps is committed to creating opportunities for people to volunteer to help our community prepare for and respond to emergencies. The primary goal is to have all citizens participate in making neighborhoods safer by providing them the tools and training needed for preventing and handling threats of terrorism, crime, and disasters of all kinds.

About Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHS&EM) is responsible for coordination and implementation of an emergency management plan to prepare for and respond to a disaster situation, be it natural or manmade. HCOHS&EM partners with local, state, and federal agencies to facilitate the coordination of support agencies in the recovery phase of a disaster.

Because a regional response to an emergency situation may be necessary, Harris County and 31 cities within its borders have Mutual Aid Agreements. Memorandums of Understanding with 15 surrounding counties are also in force to allow regional cooperation in the event of a disaster.

About City of Houston Office of Emergency Management

The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management conducts programs and activities designed to provide customers, internal and external, with the ability to prepare for, cope with, and recover from the effects of disasters. This is achieved through information and resource exchange, working with the public and private sectors, and all levels of government through the utilization of modern technology.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by The Allstate Corporation. Allstate and The Allstate Foundation sponsor community initiatives to promote "safe and vital communities"; "tolerance, inclusion, and diversity"; and "economic empowerment". The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America's families achieve their American dream.

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