National Weather Association Recognizes FLASH® for Commitment to Public Education 10/18/05

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®) has been chosen by the National Weather Association to receive the 2005 Walter J. Bennett Public Service Award, which recognizes organizations and individuals for their commitment to providing weather-related information to the public. "We at FLASH are deeply grateful for this honor and ever-appreciative of the partnerships that allow us to provide free, disaster safety information to people across the country," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson, FLASH President and CEO. "No group has supported our public education mission more than the network of professional meteorologists, including the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center and every local television and news meteorologist that we work with around the country."  Founded in 1998 as the Florida Alliance for Safe Homes, the now Federal Alliance for Safe Homes has expanded its mission from providing Florida homeowners with hurricane safety and awareness information to embracing other perils - natural or manmade - and to reaching out to all citizens in the U.S. FLASH's recent outreach efforts and programs include:  A partnership earlier this year with Florida's Gov. Jeb Bush to initiate a public service campaign that encourages Florida homeowners to learn how to correctly board up their homes in case of hurricane. The campaign includes public service announcements recorded by Gov. Bush in both English and Spanish, and a free online step-by-step, how-to animation.  A just-completed joint effort with home-improvement guru Bob Vila and Mercedes Homes to rebuild a Punta Gorda, Fla., home destroyed last year by Hurricane Charlie. The new house incorporates more than one dozen storm-resistant features including cast-in-place concrete walls, impact-resistant windows and garage door, and a superior roofing system. Construction of the home is featured in this season of the Bob Vila television show.  FLASH and the National Weather Service co-sponsor the highly successful Turn Around Don't Drown® flood safety awareness campaign. The Turn Around, Don't Drown campaign uses public service announcements in English and Spanish, billboards and other tools to communicate its message.  Blueprint for Safety" Education Program (www.blueprintforsafety.org). Developed by a blue-ribbon panel of architects, building professionals and engineers, this FLASH program disseminates the most comprehensive set of disaster-resistant building techniques available today.  Chapman-Henderson is a 2005 recipient of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's (NOAA) Environmental Hero Award, which honors individuals and organizations for their "tireless efforts to preserve and protect our nation's environment."