NASHVILLE --- The Directors of the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security (OHS) and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) will hold a media availability on Thursday, September 3, 2009 to discuss emergency preparedness. September 1st marks the kick-off of National Preparedness Month, a month –long national effort to increase public awareness about how citizens can prepare for emergencies.
The media availability will be held at TEMA in the State Emergency Operations Center. No prior registration is necessary; however, all media must have proper credentials. TEMA officials will also provide a tour of the State Emergency Operations Center.
WHO: Rick Shipkowski, Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Deputy Director
James Bassham, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director
Anna Smith, Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Citizen Corps Coordinator
WHAT: Media Availability & State Emergency Operations Center Tour
WHEN: Thursday, September 3, 2009
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is located at the Tennessee
National Guard’s headquarters at Houston Barracks, 3041 Sidco Drive, Nashville,
TN Parking is available at the parking Lot D, C or the adjacent parking behind the
National Guard Headquarters. Media may enter at the TEMA entrance in the rear of
the National Guard Headquarters after passing through the security gate on Sidco Drive.
National Preparedness Month is sponsored by FEMA’s
Ready Campaign and is held each September to raise public awareness about emergency preparedness.
Ready is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation. Visit
www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY for additional information.