This week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the winners of the 2011 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Awards. Formerly called the National Citizen Corps Achievement Awards, the name was changed to reflect FEMA’s intent to recognize the innovative and outstanding achievements of all of the individuals, communities, and organizations working to ensure that the United States is better prepared and more resilient. Organized by the Central US Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) and its Member and Associate Member States, the Great Central US ShakeOut won the award for “Outstanding Drill, Exercise, or Event.” This honor recognizes the achievements of individuals who work everyday to increase awareness about the earthquake hazard in the central United States and the promotion of greater preparedness efforts among its citizens, businesses and all levels of government.
Leadership from the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and FEMA selected this event as an award recipient out of numerous applicants among 36 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Award submissions reflected the whole of community approach to emergency management, and included entries from faith-based, tribal, non-profit, private sector, community-based organizations and individuals. Out of these many submissions, The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut was selected as a creative approach to educating and promoting earthquake readiness. For more information on the awards, visit http://www.citizencorps.gov/councils/awards/2011/awardwinners2011.shtm
