Partners in Prevention

Volume 19, Issue 8, August 2017

Month in Review


	FLASH BOD at the BASF Idea Lab

Visit to BASF Inspires as Directors Get Strategic

July marks the midway point of the year-long strategic planning effort underway by the FLASH Board of Directors and Advisors as they prepare a new five-year framework. Courtesy of BASF, the group enjoyed a historic setting for their latest visioning session. BASF Vice President - Performance Materials Construction Erika Peterman hosted the group at the BASF Plastics Design Engineering Facility where they learned about product innovation under the Disaster Durable Solutions program and defined "moonshots" to explore ahead of their twentieth year in 2018.

Futurist and FLASH Advisor Joe Tankersley and EVP Eric Vaughn guided the strategic dialogue and will complete the strategic framework ahead of the upcoming National Disaster Resilience Conference in October. If you would like to contribute to the dialogue and did not have the opportunity earlier this year, email [email protected] or [email protected] .


Scott Zaffram, FEMA Region X

FEMA Ready Business Heads to Seattle

Members of the Greater Seattle business, nonprofit, and emergency management community came together on August 2 for a FEMA Ready Business workshop at the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The workshop combined two hazard toolkits, Power Outage & QuakeSmart, into one agenda--offering attendees a strong lineup of expert speakers and professionals.

Ready Business helps businesses become disaster resilient to save lives, protect property, and ensure business continuity. During the workshop, 80 businesses and organizations learned to identify risk, develop a plan, and take action to mitigate impacts using the new Ready Business Power Outage & QuakeSmart Toolkits . (Read More)

Collaboration Opportunities and Upcoming Events


	Dave Shull

Weather Channel CEO to

Keynote at National Disaster Resilience Conference

The news media plays a crucial role in bringing information to the public during times of disaster, but can we make resilience newsworthy when the skies are blue?

FLASH is proud to announce that Dave Shull, CEO of The Weather Channel will address this question and provide his perspective as leader of the award-winning network on Thursday, October 26 at the 2017 National Disaster Resilience Conference.

As chief executive officer of The Weather Channel television network (Weather), Dave Shull oversees all aspects of one of the most widely distributed cable networks, which encompasses programming, distribution, broadcast operations, video technology, and addressable TV advertising platforms. He also works with Weather's ad sales leadership to identify the best solutions for driving both the technology and selling efforts for the network's advertising as it evolves, including addressable TV advertising solutions.

(Read More)

USAA to Host the Tampa FEMA Ready Business Workshop

FLASH and Legacy Partner USAA will mark National Preparedness Month with a FEMA Ready Business workshop in Tampa, FL on September 28. The agenda will focus on the hazards of hurricanes and inland flooding and will feature the new Ready Business Hurricane and Inland Flooding Toolkits.

USAA will host the event at its new facility with co-presenters from FEMA Region IV, Florida DEM, Hillsborough County, and Legacy Partner Simpson Strong-Tie. Seating is limited but still available for this free workshop, so click here or visit www.flash.org/readybusiness today.

For additional information, email [email protected] or call 877-221-SAFE (7233).

Conference Update - New Presenting Partners, Website and Speakers

A new 2017 National Disaster Resilience Conference website is now online with the latest details about keynote speakers, session presenters, and topics. Applied Technology Council, Central United States Earthquake Consortium , National Fire Protection Association, National Hurricane Conference , National Weather Association , Southern California Earthquake Center and the Western States Seismic Policy Council are serving as "Presenting Partners".

The conference is slated for October 25 - 27 in Atlanta and will bring together the nation's foremost voices in the disaster safety and resilience movement to share best practices, inspire, collaborate, and create meaningful action. (Read More)

Save the (New) Date to Tackle Texas Resilience

Please note the date change and join the FLASH Partnership for the 7th Annual Texas State Collaborative meeting on October 3 at the Capitol - Legislative Conference Center in Austin. This year's gathering will feature information about new building code legislation, recent weather events, and opportunities to enhance disaster resilience through collaboration.

The Texas State Collaborative is a private-public organization that addresses the most pressing issues affecting the state's built environment. It supports three goals to create disaster-resilient communities: increase public safety through enhanced awareness of Texas weather risks, foster strong modern state and local building codes, and support effective enforcement of state and local building codes by well-trained and adequately resourced professionals. For more information, email Mike Rimoldi or call 877-221-SAFE (7233)

Partner Spotlight


	Dr. Forrest Masters

Partner Spotlight - Dr. Forrest Masters

Dr. Forrest Masters is a professor in the University of Florida Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment. He also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Facilities in the university's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. He is a member of the FLASH Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the American Society of Civil Engineers' Infrastructure Resilience Division.

FLASH: What is your background or education?

MASTERS: I received my doctorate in civil engineering at the University of Florida in 2004, immediately preceding the major hurricane outbreaks in 2004 and 2005 that included Charley, Katrina, among other major storms. My active research focuses on surface-level tropical cyclone wind field and its effect on the built environment.

(Read More)

Partner News


	Ben May

Former Director and Disney Leader Retires

Congratulations to Ben May, former Board Director and Walt Disney Company Global Business Development Director on his retirement this summer after more than 17 years of service.

Ben made an indelible impact on FLASH by bringing his leadership, vision, and hopeful spirit to the organization. He championed the unprecedented idea of disaster safety as an Epcot "edu-tainment" experience, and helped create the award winning StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes . Thanks to this groundbreaking collaboration, more than 5.5 million Disney guests experienced a story that made them safer from disasters. (Read More)

Be a Part of History and Register for the World's Largest Earthquake Drill

Register now for the 2017 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on October 19. The event is organized to encourage individuals, communities, schools, and organizations to update emergency plans and supplies, and secure a space to prevent damage and injuries.

"Everyone, everywhere should know how to protect themselves during an earthquake," said Mark Benthien, Global Coordinator, Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills. "Even if earthquakes are rare where you live, they may happen where you or your family travel."

Almost 10 million individuals and businesses already have registered to participate in the 2017 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill. Click here to register and be counted in the ShakeOut and get email updates and position your company as a role model for disaster preparedness in the community and your industry. More information is available at www.shakeout.org .

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