With all the Fourth of July celebrations this weekend, remember to be safe and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Independence Day is a highlight of the summer and for many people there’s a lot of excitement around setting off colorful fireworks and grilling outdoors. As you plan your Fourth of July celebration with family and friends, I wanted to share a few safety tips to ensure your holiday weekend is a safe one, too.

Fireworks – Leave them to the Pros

Sadly, every year there are many injuries and deaths caused by amateur firework use. We ask that you leave the fireworks to the professionals this weekend, and remember:

• Sparklers are not toys. They can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit - hot enough to melt some metals.
• In case pieces of fireworks end up near you after an event, leave them alone. Some may still be ignited and can explode.
• Stand several feet away from the professionals lighting fireworks; fireworks can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.

Remember to Grill Safely

By taking a few fire safety precautions when grilling, you can keep those around the grill safe:

• Propane and charcoal grills must only be used outdoors. Using them indoors or in any enclosed spaces (such as tents), poses a fire hazard and a risk of exposing occupants to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic. Grills should be positioned at least 10 feet away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep, matches, lighters, and starter fluid out of the reach of children in a locked drawer or cabinet.

I hope that you and your family have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. For more information, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s summer and firework safety pages.

This September marks the eighth annual National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme “A Time to Remember. A Time to Prepare” aims at turning awareness into action. Individuals, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations can now sign up to become a National Preparedness Month Coalition Member, joining a community who will share emergency preparedness information.

In the past, National Preparedness Month coalition members have worked to create a culture of emergency preparedness in the United States. This year, with your help, we hope to increase the number as we encourage Americans to get prepared before a disaster strikes. So here’s how to get involved:

• Register to become a coalition member at www.Ready.gov/community to have access to a toolkit full of resources for promoting emergency preparedness and to receive e-mail updates.
  
  Even if you were a coalition member last year, it’s important that you register this year to have the benefits of a coalition member. And be sure that each level of your organization registers – branch offices, regional offices, retail stores, etc. – so they can promote preparedness at their location, too.
• Check out the webinar on National Preparedness Month for an overview of this year's theme and other resources available to NPM 2011 Coalition Members.

There is no better time to prepare your business or organization from a disaster than now. We hope you’ll join us in promoting emergency preparedness in September, and all year round, by visiting Ready.gov today.

Today, June 27, marks two months since severe storms and tornadoes – some with wind speeds of more than 200 mph – struck hard. It was a catastrophe unlike any other. Tragically, 241 Alabamians were killed. Thousands were left homeless.

Our records show that more than 83,200 disaster survivors have applied for financial assistance from state and federal agencies. Think about that. That’s more than the total population of many good-sized Alabama communities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency was in touch with the governor and the state director of emergency management even before the storms hit. After the president declared most of Alabama a major disaster area, we moved quickly to meet immediate and long-term needs. Disaster recovery centers opened. Community relations teams hit the streets to talk to survivors. Inspectors assessed damages to homes and businesses. Rebuilding specialists set up displays in home improvement stores. More than $100 million has been approved in federal grants and low-interest disaster loans.


Phil Campbell, AL, May 14, 2011 -- FEMA Community Relations Specialists Laura Philpot and Tom Violette speak with a storm survivor in front of his former home. FEMA Community Relations canvass each storm stricken area to be sure everyone receives information on how to apply for FEMA assistance to recover from the deadly April tornado.

Significant progress is being made. Not only because of the efforts of FEMA and other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but due to the cooperation of the entire team – the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, state and local responders, nonprofit organizations, private businesses and individuals who were on the ground within hours following the disaster.

And our work continues.

Recovery officials estimate that the tornadoes and storms left behind a total of 10 million cubic yards of debris. That’s enough material to fill the equivalent of 67,000 18-wheelers. And if those trucks were lined up one behind the other they would stretch all the way from Mobile to Nashville and halfway back again.

But no task is too daunting when we work together as a team. As part of the federal response effort 70 percent of all the debris has been removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, private contractors and force account labor. We’re especially pleased that most of the Corps’ subcontractors are from Alabama.

With an eye toward planning for future natural disasters, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA hosted a Safer Alabama Summit at the University of Alabama. Participants included state and local officials, financial organizations, contractors, builders, engineers, academic and scientific departments and organizations, insurance companies and trade associations. It was estimated that nearly 300 attended and there is great interest in safe rooms and community shelters.

Governor Robert Bentley also has established a Long-Term Community Recovery Partnership to work on issues of housing, economic development, natural resources, health and social services and community planning. Local elected officials, nonprofit leaders and educators are among those who are participating.

Meanwhile, FEMA’s voluntary agency liaison specialists are working to ensure the smooth creation and operation of Long Term Recovery Committees at the county level. The committees coordinate help provided by voluntary agencies and generous donors for filling the gaps between needs and government assistance. Priorities include financial assistance, storage and distribution of donations, emotional and spiritual support, mud and debris cleanup, minor home repairs, and rebuilding.

On behalf of the state and federal recovery specialists who have mobilized here, we offer our deepest condolences to the families who suffered the loss of a loved one, as well as our thoughts and prayers for those who sustained catastrophic damage to their homes. By working together to face the tremendous challenges currently facing the state, and doing our jobs with commitment, courage and compassion, Alabama’s recovery will continue. We’re in it for the long haul.

For the latest on Alabama recovery efforts, visit the disaster page.

Ongoing Severe Weather

We continue to closely monitor and work with our state and local partners as flooding continues along the Souris River. As you’ve probably seen in the news, local officials have issued evacuation orders for some communities along the river, specifically in Burlington and Minot. As we’ve said on this blog before, we will continue to work with the emergency management team to meet the needs of disaster survivors and the affected communities. Forecasts from the National Weather Service are calling for more rain in the Great Plains and the Midwest, so be sure to follow the direction of local officials and take steps today to get prepared.

And as rivers swell in some parts of the U.S., other areas are fighting a prolonged drought and wildfires. We continue to closely coordinate with state and local officials as wildfires continue across the south in Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Texas and Georgia, to name a few.

For your latest weather forecast, visit www.weather.gov or mobile.weather.gov on your smartphone.

NFL Players Encourage Preparedness

Over the past several months, we've worked with many partners from the private sector to encourage disaster survivors to apply for assistance, including the NFL Players Association. In the video below, Vonnie Holliday, defensive linebacker for the Washington Redskins, talks about the importance of getting prepared before a disaster strikes. Check out the video below, and Be sure to take a few minutes to visit Ready.gov this weekend to make a kit, get a plan, and be informed.