‘Disaster and Preparedness’ video series wins global and national awards

Videos use a light approach to encourage people to take responsibility for emergency preparedness

On Oct. 30, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) presented first-place Public Awareness Awards in both the national and global categories to the Kansas City region’s Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC).

MEMC was recognized for its seven-part “Tale of Disaster and Preparedness” video series. The videos, produced last spring, introduced two characters — Disaster and Preparedness — who use humor to provide critical information about key steps people should take to be prepared for emergencies, such as having a plan, having a supply kit and staying informed.

Division Chief Eric Ramsey of the Lenexa Fire Department, a member of IAEM and of the MEMC Citizen Readiness Subcommittee, accepted the award at the IAEM conference in Orlando, Fla. “I am humbled and honored to accept the IAEM award on behalf of MEMC,” said Ramsey. “The recognition goes to all who have worked so hard on this and many other projects.”

IAEM officials called the video series one of the best examples they’ve seen of humor being used to effectively deliver key preparedness messaging. The videos are available online at www.youtube.com/PrepareMetroKC . They have been shared extensively through local government cable channels and websites and at community outreach events across the metro, and have received acclaim from local governments throughout the country. Earlier this year, the videos were also recognized with a prestigious Telly award and nominated for a regional Emmy award.

MEMC is currently working with Thill Media, the local production company that created the videos, on three new episodes. The videos are produced in cooperation with the Kansas City Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee and funded by an Urban Area Security Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

For more information about disaster preparedness, visit www.PrepareMetroKC.org.